Ever since the 1998 Bangkok Asian Games, the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) has been on the lookout for the cream of the crop – the most valuable player (MVP) of each edition of the Games.  

This prestigious accolade aims to honor those exceptional athletes who have not only outperformed themselves but also achieved remarkable breakthroughs during the fierce competition. 

Throughout history, swimming's big names have consistently dominated the race for the MVP title. Out of the past six Asian Games MVPs, an impressive four of them have been swimmers. Among them, Kosuke Kitajima, Kosuke Hagino, and Rikako Ikee have each brought home the honor three times for Japan, while Park Tae-hwan secured the award once for South Korea.  

No Chinese swimmer had ever managed to claim this esteemed accolade. However, the 19th Asian Games proved to be a turning point. 

In a momentous announcement on Saturday night, the OCA declared Chinese swimmers Zhang Yufei and Qin Haiyang joint recipients of the MVP award for the Asian Games in Hangzhou. This groundbreaking achievement marked the first time in the Asian Games' history that two athletes shared the glory. 

In a press briefing afterward, Wei Jizhong, the Honorary Life Vice President of the OCA, said the designation of the two victors was contingent upon a meticulous evaluation of five pivotal factors.  

These criteria encompassed their performance in the competition, encompassing the acquisition of medals and the shattering of records. Additionally, their embodiment of sportsmanship, their impact on the public at large, their adherence to discipline and their embodiment of fair play were taken into consideration. 

Olympic champion Zhang amassed a sensational tally of six gold medals. Her awe-inspiring triumphs were witnessed in the women's 50m, 100m, and 200m butterfly events, the 50m freestyle, and two relay races. 

"Securing the MVP title for China has truly brought my pre-competition dreams and commitments to fruition," said Zhang.  

"Throughout the tournament, I have experienced firsthand the tremendous growth and advancement of Chinese sports, the meticulous preparations guided by scientific principles and the spirit of teamwork that has propelled us forward.  

"These factors have not only allowed me to compete on the global stage against top-tier international athletes but have also attracted world-renowned coaching teams to our homeland.  

"Let us join hands in fostering a new era for Chinese sports, where progress knows no boundaries and collaboration knows no limits." 

The exceptional Qin, who sparkled at the World Aquatics Championships in Fukuoka in July, showcased his prowess on home soil by securing five golds in the men's 50m, 100m, and 200m breaststroke categories, in addition to playing a vital role in two victorious relay teams.  

"The notion of being crowned as the MVP was not part of my pre-Games aspirations," said Qin. "My primary focus revolved around achieving personal breakthroughs and wholeheartedly dedicating myself to every event.  

"Moving forward, I will reflect upon the lessons learned from this Asian Games and carefully plan my next steps. My aim is to strive for even greater achievements at the Paris Olympics next year."