Prolific Chinese swimmer Sun Yang continues to create ripples in the ongoing National Swimming Championships in China. The three-time Olympic gold medalist, who has already won the men's 200- and 800-meter freestyle events, have accomplished a golden hat-trick after winning the men's 400 meters freestyle gold on day of the event in Shanxi Province.

Competing in his pet event, in which the 26-year-old bagged gold at the 2012 London Olympics and won three straight gold medals at the World Championships, Yang went ahead of the pack from the get-go and comfortably won the race. The Zhejiang native, who is also currently holding the national and Asian record of 3 minutes and 40.14 seconds, touched the wall first in 3 minutes, 44.29 seconds to pocket his third gold of the meet this year.

The ace swimmer said, “I'm quite satisfied with this result because, I was swimming at an altitude of 800 meters above sea level.”

“I have high expectation for the 400 meter, and I was hoping to finish in a time of 3 minutes and 40 seconds. Of course, I know it can be a tough process, but I will still try to improve in the future,” Sun Yang added.

Meanwhile, in the women's 50 meters backstroke, Fu Yuanhui swam to her first gold of the competition as her victory got the 22-year-old a qualification berth for the 2018 Asian Games in Jakarta.

Elsewhere, Yu Hexin of Guangdong grabbed gold in the men's 50 meters freestyle;Tan Haiyang, who swims for the PLA Navy claimed the men's 200 meters breaststroke.