2024 Paris Olympics mens 100m freestyle champ Pan Zhanle of China went head to head with 3 time Olympic gold medalist Sun Yang in the 200m freestyle at the National Swimming Championships in Shenzhen, south Chinas Guangdong Province, on Monday, with Pan triumphing for Zhejiang.The final was star-studded, with 3 Olympic gold medalists, Sun, Wang Shun, and Pan, plus world champs Zhang Zhanshuo and Ji Xinjie contending in the very same race.
200m assortment champion Wang took the lead after the start, but Ji moved into first place after 150 meters.
Pan revealed his speed to take the lead in the last 50 meters, touching the wall in 1:45.45, marking his 3rd gold medal at this occasion.
Zhang earned the silver while Ji grabbed the bronze.
Veteran Sun, the earliest professional athlete in the tournament and getting rid of injury, finished 8th.
After the race, Pan and Sun praised each other.
I only feel nervous with no other feeling, Pan said.
I concentrate on the information.
I changed my strategy today as I utilized my power to rush mainly at the latter half.
Its really excellent that I can swim with the two Olympic gold medalists, who are older than me.
Its my honor to do so.
I kept on going until the end and I felt really pleased at this event, Sun stated.
I satisfied my expectations a lot of thanks to myself and others.
Li Bingjie from Hebei won the femaless 1,500 m freestyle.
She touched the wall first in a time of 15:43.94 to break the competition record.Xu Jiayu won the maless 100m backstroke in 52.49 seconds while Wan Letian claimed the gold in the femaless 100m backstroke in 59.21 seconds.Tang Qianting secured the femaless 100m breaststroke while Qin Haiyang broke the event record in the mens 50m breaststroke semifinals with a time of 26.54 seconds.