Chengdu’s FISU University Games witnessed a spectacular performance on its opening day, as the Chinese women’s 4×100 meters relay swimming team, boasting world champions, seized the gold medal. The team, comprising Olympic victors Zhang Yufei, Li Bingjie, and world bronze medalist Liu Yaxin, delivered a riveting swim. With a staggering timing of 3:37.51, they not only set a FISU Games record but also led their closest competitors, Italy, by a substantial 1.30 seconds, while Japan trailed by an additional 4.32 seconds.
However, triumphs in the pool came after overcoming significant challenges. The rapid succession of competitions had induced jet lag in many of the Chinese elite swimmers, including Zhang Yufei. She shared her taxing experience with the Global Times, recounting how she managed with only four hours of sleep due to a delayed flight that landed her in Chengdu close to dawn. Despite the taxing schedule, Zhang emphasized her participation at the FISU Games as a college student rather than a professional athlete, illustrating the event’s unique blending of academia and sports.
While Zhang is yet to explore Chengdu, she has a particular fondness for Sichuan’s iconic pandas. Displaying her admiration, she wore a panda-themed swimming cap and bamboo-inspired swimsuit. The local delicacies, especially the famed hot pot, are on her to-try list during her stay in Chengdu.
Zhang’s athletic prowess remained undimmed, setting a new Asian record in the women’s 50 meters butterfly and subsequently clocking 25.29 in the same event, breaking another FISU Games record. Her aspirations for the event are high, aiming for gold in all individual events and collaborating with her team for more relay medals.
Li Bingjie, a distance freestyle maestro who secured third place in the world championship 1,500 meters final led by Katie Ledecky, echoed Zhang’s sentiments of winning medals for their homeland. She underscored the significance of the FISU Games, especially since it’s being hosted in China. Li attributed the team’s formidable performance, especially against the Italian competitors, to their determination and effort.
Qin Haiyang, the newly minted triple breaststroke world champion, further elevated the day’s excitement. Competing in both the men’s 100 meters breaststroke heat and semifinals, he was greeted with thunderous applause and enthusiasm from spectators.
The presence of such esteemed swimmers at the FISU Games has drawn a massive crowd, with packed stands witnessing the heats. Zhang and Qin have enrolled in nine and seven events respectively, showcasing their athletic dedication.
Bryan Leong, Malaysia’s triple national record holder, emphasized how the participation of such world champions elevated the FISU Games’ stature. For him and other participants, competing alongside these champions offered invaluable learning experiences. As he noted, facing off against world-class athletes provides insights and inspiration, making the event not just a competition but a platform for growth and admiration.
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