Cui Dengrong, the new leader of China's swimming team: A Game-Changer in the Pool

On May 14, at the National Swimming Training Work Conference held in Shenzhen, Shanghai-born coach Cui Dengrong was elected as the new head coach of the national swimming team for the upcoming cycle. A "gold-medal-winning mentor" who has dedicated over three decades to the pool, Cui is both a strict disciplinarian and a caring father figure—his razor-sharp focus on refining every detail serves as his guiding principle, while his unwavering belief in winning gold keeps him steadfastly by the athletes' side, helping them navigate through challenges and ultimately emerge into the sunshine after the storm.

Lu Ying: Taking a New Path

Lu Ying was Cui Dengrong’s first athlete to reach the Olympic podium. Standing on the podium, she glanced toward the figure in the stands—always clutching a stopwatch—and finally understood: what people call "thinking outside the box" isn’t about reckless risk-taking; it’s about having someone behind you who builds the strongest, most reliable springboard. "Coach Cui poured his heart and soul into lifting me out of my lowest moments and helping me climb all the way to the podium. I’m truly grateful to him," Lu Ying said.

After missing out on the 2008 Beijing Olympics, 19-year-old Lu Ying considered retiring. But a single text message from Cui Dengrong reignited her determination: "You’ll surpass them—make no mistake, you must believe in yourself."

On July 29, 2012, at the London Olympics, Lu Ying won the silver medal in the women’s 100-meter butterfly with a time of 56.87 seconds. Photo by Xinhua News Agency reporter Fei Maohua.

From that moment on, Lu Ying "took a different path," switching to butterfly swimming. At the 2010 Guangzhou Asian Games, Lu Ying emerged as a standout performer, catching everyone's attention—people began to realize that, alongside Liu Zige and Jiao Liuyang, China had yet another rising "butterfly star." Then, at the 2011 World Swimming Championships in Shanghai, making her debut on the global stage, Lu Ying secured a valuable bronze medal. Just four years after transitioning from freestyle to butterfly, she went on to claim the silver medal in the women’s 100-meter butterfly at the 2012 London Olympics.

Speaking about her mentor of 10 years, Cui Dengrong, Lu Ying said: "Many times, when I wasn’t feeling my best or had something on my mind, he’d understand without me even having to say a word. It’s thanks largely to him that I was able to secure the Olympic silver medal."

During Lu Ying's career slump, she was temporarily loaned to compete in the World Lifesaving Championships—and went on to win the gold. Without Cui Dengrong's "gold-medal motivation technique," there might not have been the Olympic silver medal that followed. "Actually, I’ve always been someone who lacked confidence," Lu Ying shared. "But my coach helped me gradually build it back up. Often, when I felt especially exhausted, my coach would stand right by my side, repeatedly cheering me on: 'Think about the gold medal—just keep thinking about the gold!' And that’s exactly what gave me the strength to push through."

Zhang Yufei: Choosing the Hardest Path

Zhang Yufei is the first Olympic champion coached by Cui Dengrong.

At the end of 2017, Zhang Yufei joined Cui Dengrong’s team. As a technically focused coach, Cui Dengrong devised a three-year plan for his athlete leading up to the Tokyo Olympics: refining technique in 2018, enhancing overall capabilities in 2019, and achieving a breakthrough in 2020.

The growing pains of the technical transition have been far more challenging than anyone could have imagined. Zhang Yufei’s performance took a steep dive, hitting rock bottom at the Gwangju World Championships. Though minor disagreements between them began to surface more frequently, they ultimately chose to trust each other once again. "He has so many innovative ideas. Even when my results initially dropped after working with him, I never considered changing coaches or losing faith in him," Zhang Yufei shared.

On May 1, 2023, Zhang Yufei won the women’s 200m butterfly title at the National Championships, pictured here with her coach, Cui Dengrong, during the award ceremony. Photo by Xinhua News Agency reporter Huang Zongzhi.

Facing declining performance and her athlete’s growing fear of her signature event, Cui Dengrong made a bold decision after the Gwangju World Championships—to shift focus entirely to the 100-meter butterfly, a stroke that demands even greater speed and strength. By the end of 2019, during their winter training camp, coach and athlete dedicated more of their sessions to the weight room, using off-water conditioning to power up their underwater technique. "There were countless early mornings when I felt my muscles literally burning—even while trying to sleep—and sometimes the pain would wake me right up," Zhang Yufei recalled with unwavering determination. She even pushed herself by competing directly against her male teammates, declaring, "When it comes to strength training, I want to measure up against the boys!"

On September 25, 2024, Zhang Yufei clinched the women’s 50-meter butterfly title at the 2024 National Swimming Championships (25 meters), clocking a time of 25.16 seconds. Photo by Xinhua News Agency reporter Hu Jingwen.

The Tokyo Olympics were postponed, throwing the preparation plans into disarray. Cui Dengrong has repeatedly said he’d "persevere" through this challenging time. Yet when the doctor handed him the diagnosis and recommended scheduling an urgent cardiac ablation procedure, he chose to stick with medication instead, saying, "I haven’t reached the finish line yet."

At the Tokyo Olympics, Zhang Yufei claimed 2 golds and 2 silvers. In the women’s 200m butterfly final, she clinched gold with a stunning time of 2:03.86, setting a new Olympic record in the process—and finally easing the worried expression on Cui Dengrong’s face in the stands. For this coach-and-athlete duo, who’ve often been questioned for "taking too risky a gamble by switching events," their gold medal victory proved that true strategic composure lies in discerning the path forward even when surrounded by uncertainty.

"Many of the meticulous details Coach Cui focused on were the catalysts that helped me improve my performance. Looking back now, I truly appreciate how thoughtfully he guided me through every step. The low point we hit along the way was actually part of his well-planned strategy—though it felt like the toughest path to take, we chose to stick with it. And in the end, we not only found the light at the end of the tunnel but also emerged victorious," said Zhang Yufei.

At the Paris Olympics, Zhang Yufei won six more medals, bringing her total Olympic medal count to 10—and making her China's most decorated Olympian ever.

Qin Haiyang: The "Metamorphosis" of the Frog King

Qin Haiyang is the first "breaststroke king" of the world coached by Cui Dengrong.

In 2022, Qin Haiyang, who also yearned for "change," joined Cui Dengrong's coaching team and began gradually exploring new training methods under his guidance.

Gaining significant strength and boosting his confidence, has been steadily building momentum since 2023, ready to make a powerful breakthrough. At the Fukuoka World Swimming Championships, he swept all three gold medals in the breaststroke events—and even shattered the world record in the 200-meter breaststroke, earning him the title of "King of Breaststroke" that sent shockwaves around the globe.

CCTV Photo

Qin Haiyang attributes his improved performance to scientific training, explaining, "Previously, our training wasn’t as detailed—things like core exercises before diving, precise control of small muscle groups, and targeted workouts for larger muscle areas were often overlooked. But now, we train each aspect separately." He also highlighted a shift in his mindset: "I’ve become much more mature these days. Earlier, I approached swimming more like a job—but now, I genuinely enjoy the sport and feel incredibly happy about it."

However, the road to the top is always destined to be filled with ups and downs. Qin Haiyang, who aimed for gold at the Paris Olympics, ultimately fell short in his individual events. That week, few people knew what Qin Haiyang had been through—only Cui Dengrong quietly stood by him, offering unwavering support and encouragement.

The relay event has been dominated by the U.S. team for 40 years. Ahead of the men’s 4x100m medley final, Cui Dengrong anticipated that the team—composed of Qin Haiyang, Xu JiaYu, Sun Jiajun, and Pan Zhanle—might find themselves in a tense situation. He urged everyone: "Be bold during the baton exchanges, stay confident, and don’t panic."

In the end, the Chinese athletes edged out their competitors with their attention to detail. Cui Dengrong pointed out, "In this race, every single baton exchange was completed in just 0.20 seconds—faster than the U.S. team."

On August 4, 2024, in the men's 4x100m medley relay final at the Paris Olympics, China clinched the gold medal with a time of 3:27.46. Pictured here are Chinese athletes Xu JiaYu (top right), Qin Haiyang (top left), Sun Jiajun (top center), and Pan Zhanle celebrating after the race. Photo by Xinhua News Agency reporter Du Yu.

Finally, Qin Haiyang overcame his inner demons and stood proudly alongside his teammates on the highest podium. As soon as the medals were awarded, he immediately placed his very first Olympic gold medal around Cui Dengrong’s neck, expressing gratitude for Cui’s meticulous guidance and tireless dedication.

After the Paris Olympics, China’s swimming team has seen the emergence of a new wave of rising stars, showcasing a dynamic, relay-style succession of talent. Looking ahead, Cui Dengrong is brimming with optimism, sharing these heartfelt words: "It was Shanghai that nurtured me, and it’s all of you who have given me encouragement, support, and invaluable help. Thank you from the bottom of my heart. Though the task ahead is challenging and the road ahead remains long, I’ll keep pushing forward with determination."

Opening the results sheet, athletes coached by Coach Cui Dengrong secured a total of 3 gold, 4 silver, and 5 bronze medals at the Olympics, along with 7 gold, 4 silver, and 8 bronze medals at the World Swimming Championships (long course).

In the new Olympic cycle, Cui Dengrong has risen from a grassroots coach on the banks of the Huangpu River to become the head coach of the national team. On the endless track of the swimming pool, he has dedicated decades to relentless dedication, laying a solid foundation that empowers future generations to leap even higher.

Image source: Xinhua News Agency, Xinmin Evening News reporter Li Mingshen, and CCTV Photos

Author: Tao Xingying, Xinmin Evening News