Current location:world >>
Invincible Qin keeps the medals flowing
world55People have gathered around
IntroductionQin Haiyang shakes hands with a rival after winning the men's 200m breaststroke in Chengdu on Friday ...
Qin Haiyang shakes hands with a rival after winning the men's 200m breaststroke in Chengdu on Friday. ZHANG WEI/CHINA DAILY
China's 'breaststroke king' shakes off fatigue to power to more golds
Qin Haiyang pushed through the fatigue barrier to keep the medals flowing for Team China at the FISU World University Games in Chengdu.
Last month, the 24-year-old lit up the World Aquatics Championships with a hat-trick of men's breaststroke titles and a relay silver with his teammates.
Just a week after his four-medal haul in Fukuoka, Japan, Qin demonstrated his pool prowess yet again by securing victory in the same four events — all in FISU-record times.
On Monday night at Dong'an Lake Sports Park Aquatics Center, gold was the reward for Team China in the men's 4x100m medley relay, again showcasing China's strength in the event following the silver medal behind the United States in Fukuoka.
"I am quite satisfied with my performances because I had already competed in numerous events before this one. My stamina was depleted, and I felt somewhat fatigued. However, the final results were faster than what I had anticipated, which was a pleasant surprise," Qin said after clinching victory in the 50m breaststroke on Sunday.
Qin arrived in Chengdu at 3 am on Aug 1, and after only four hours' sleep, had dived into the pool for his first race in the 100m breaststroke.
"With the competition schedule being so tight, the only way to recover is by making the most of the evenings and prioritizing getting plenty of rest," said Qin, who sped to a world record in the 200m breaststroke in Fukuoka.
He insisted there wasn't much disparity between the competition level at the FISU games and the world championships, but added that the enthusiastic home support in Chengdu was greatly appreciated.
"I approach every race with the utmost seriousness," Qin said.
"Although the World University Games are generally considered less intense, they still present an excellent opportunity for improvement and growth."
Born in 1999, Qin started to practice swimming at the age of 5. Qin's name "Haiyang" means "ocean", and he likes to think fate or destiny may have led him to the sport.
Now dubbed the "breaststroke king" by Chinese media, fans might be surprised to learn that it used to be his weakest stroke.
"Because I wasn't proficient in breaststroke initially, I dedicated myself to practicing it more intensively," Qin explained.
Prior to the Fukuoka worlds, Qin's biggest wins were back-to-back 200m breaststroke titles at successive National Games. Despite his domestic success, international glory had proved elusive — until last month.
Qin Haiyang (center, top) poses with his teammates on the podium after winning gold in the men's 4x100m medley relay on Monday in Chengdu. [Photo/Xinhua]
He endured a miserable Olympic Games debut in Tokyo in 2021, where he was disqualified in the first round for a technical violation. He had finished first in his heat, suggesting a medal was within his grasp.
Qin attributes his consistent performances in Fukuoka to his relentless pursuit of excellence in the pool and the unwavering support of his team.
During his downtime, Qin's main priority is to relax his mind. Like any athlete, getting a good night's sleep is a key element in his recovery, but Qin believes that mental relaxation is even more important because his training is so demanding.
He likes to harness the power of social media, too. After the Fukuoka worlds, for instance, he posted a quote on Weibo from Brazilian martial artist Charles Oliveira: "Life once declared I was nothing, but look at me now, I am a world champion."
With the Paris Olympics around the corner, Qin says his training focus is on ensuring his gains in the gym count in the water.
"It involves effectively transferring and applying the performance boost from training on land to the swimming pool," he said.
Yamato Fukasawa of Japan won bronze in the 200m breaststroke final in Chengdu, and said he was looking forward to renewing his rivalry with Qin in Paris.
"Participating in next year's Olympics is a goal of mine, and I eagerly look forward to the opportunity of again going head-to-head with Qin," Fukasawa said.
Tags:
Reprint:Friends are welcome to share on the Internet, but please indicate the source of the article when reprinting it.“Culture Craft news portal”。http://bermuda.downmusic.org/article-49a199863.html
Related articles
Colleges grapple to clear out encampments of pro
worldNEW YORK (AP) — As upcoming commencement ceremonies grew closer Tuesday, universities across the U.S ...
【world】
Read moreBrazilian farming expands by 95.1 million ha. in 37 years
worldPublished on 12/10/2023 - 09:00 By Letycia Bond - Brasília ...
【world】
Read moreO.J. Simpson, football star turned celebrity murder defendant, dies at 76
worldWashington —O.J. Simpson, the American football star and actor who was acquitted in a sensational 19 ...
【world】
Read more
Popular articles
- Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti apologizes for forgetting German on his Bayern Munich return
- VOX POPULI: Message for this year’s rookie workers: You are an empty glass
- Shooting at Ramadan event in West Philadelphia leaves 3 injured, 5 in custody, police say
- Australian farm grows world's biggest blueberry
- Injured Marlins left
- Russia's nuclear arsenal: How big is it, and who controls it?
Latest articles
Chinese scientist who first published COVID sequence stages protest after being locked out of lab
Ongoing withdrawals from savings pressure Brazil’s real estate market
Petrobras, WEG partner up to build 7 MW onshore wind turbine
Government policies 'taking people backwards'
Conservative states challenge federal rule on treatment of transgender students
Baltimore bridge collapse: What will happen to the 21 sailors stranded on the Dali?
LINKS
- Gulf countries slam Washington stand
- Outlook positive as China
- G20 not a platform for resolving geopolitical struggles and security issues: Chinese FM
- Youth employment rate may improve in August
- 50 city volunteer service stations for the Chengdu 2021 FISU Games went live
- Protection efforts lift crested ibis population
- Across China: Chinese people pay tributes to legendary ancestor
- China Focus: Netflix's adaptation of Three
- China to launch construction, expansion of major cultural facilities
- China eyes increased investment in rural NEV charging facilities