The echoes of the 2025 National Swimming Championships linger on.

"Enjoy every single match."

— The 31-year-old veteran Wang Shun has claimed two gold medals in individual events, with his 200m individual medley ranking among the top five worldwide this year. Additionally, he shattered the meet record in the 400m individual medley, showcasing a remarkable ability to mentally and physically adjust during major competitions—almost as if he’s already mastered the art of handling high-stakes moments with ease. Wang Shun believes that maintaining a relaxed mindset during races has unlocked his full potential. Now, as the second male swimmer to clinch an Olympic gold medal, every step Wang Shun takes on the competitive stage is rewriting history.

“Someone asked me why I’m still holding on. The answer is simple: because my passion has never faded, and because responsibility always weighs heavily on my shoulders. I want to keep being there—to experience and witness even more of what Chinese swimming can achieve!”

—— Xu JiaYu, who is about to turn 30, claimed a total of five gold medals at this year’s competition (three in individual events and two in relays). He swept all three backstroke events—winning the 50m, 100m, and 200m titles—and once again proved his dominance in the backstroke discipline. In the 50m backstroke semifinal, he clocked an impressive 24.38 seconds, tying his own national record while also breaking the meet record he previously held at 24.42. Meanwhile, in the 200m backstroke event, Xu candidly admitted, "I could definitely feel the pressure that comes with age." He even tried revisiting the swimming techniques from his younger days—but despite an early pace of 54 seconds, he eventually hit a wall in the latter half of the race. By the end, he was left "with a splitting headache, practically gasping for every last bit of oxygen." Looking ahead to the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, when Xu will be 33 years old, he remains hopeful about qualifying for the 50m backstroke event on the Olympic stage. "I’d love to give the world record a shot," he said with determination. What a legend!

"I think this is a moment that will go down in history, because all three of China’s current male Olympic swimming champions are from our province of Zhejiang. Tonight, we stood together in the final of the 4x200m freestyle relay at Shenzhen Universiade Center—this is a moment I know everyone will remember for a long time."

— On the evening of May 22, the Zhejiang team, consisting of Wang Shun, Fei Liwei, Sun Yang, and Pan Zhanle, clinched the gold medal in the men’s 4x200m freestyle final at the 2025 National Swimming Championships, clocking a time of 7:12.76. Returning to competition, Sun Yang also secured his first-ever gold medal of this year’s event, sharing his thoughts afterward. The Zhejiang team had an outstanding performance at these championships, bagging a total of 22 gold medals across all 42 swimming events—12 in the men’s category, 8 in the women’s division, and 2 in the mixed relay. As Zhejiang athletes, we can truly be proud of their remarkable achievements!

“It’s truly heartwarming—and especially moving—when you think about how young Pan Zhanle once dreamed of surpassing Sun Yang. And now, after all the ups and downs over the years, Sun Yang has not only remained a powerhouse but even teamed up with the grown-up Pan Zhanle to clinch the championship together in the relay. It’s incredibly emotional.”

— Netizens expressed their admiration as Pan Zhanle and Sun Yang teamed up for the men’s 4x200m freestyle relay. "Growing up, I became just like you"—the power of idols plays an incredibly vital role in shaping young people’s growth. Athletes’ unwavering determination to chase glory and fulfill their dreams, along with their spirited, confident, and uplifting demeanor, serve as guiding beacons for teenagers, inspiring them to bravely pursue their own paths with passion and resilience.