Wang Shun celebrates after winning the gold medal during the swimming men's 400 meters individual medley at China's 14th National Games in Xi'an, Shaanxi Province, northwest China, September 19, 2021. /CFP
Olympic gold medalist and defending champion swimmer Wang Shun from east China's Zhejiang Province retained the men's 400 meters individual medley at China's 14th National Games in Xi'an, capital of northwest China's Shaanxi Province on Sunday. This was his third straight victory in the event at the national games.
Wang, winner of the 200 meters individual medley at the Tokyo Olympic Games, led from the start in the butterfly and held his nerve to widen the gap in the final sprint with a time of 4 minutes and 12.76 seconds, improving his gold medal tally at the Xi'an national games to 10.
Swimmer Wang Shun competes during the men's 400 meters individual medley at China's 14th National Games in Xi'an, Shaanxi Province, northwest China, September 19, 2021. /CFP
"I'm excited to win the 400 meters individual medley title for the third time," said 27-year-old Wang. He also expressed his hope to compete at the next national games in 2025, which will be jointly hosted by south China's Guangdong Province and Hong Kong and Macao special administrative regions.
Liu Zongyu of eastern Shandong Province finished second in 4:14.66, while Tao Guannan of southern Guangdong Province took the bronze medal in 4:17.13.
"The silver and bronze medalists also went all out. I'm really happy to see these young swimmers standing out," Wang added.