Wang Shun, Xu Jiayu Dominate at China Swimming Championships

HANGZHOU, China — The 2026 Chinese National Swimming Championships opened with a statement of veteran dominance on June 16, as Olympic gold medalists Wang Shun and Xu Jiayu delivered commanding performances at the Hangzhou Olympic Sports Center Aquatics Center. The six-day competition, featuring over 500 athletes from 30 provincial teams, serves as the primary selection event for the 2026 Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games.

According to Xinhua News Agency, the opening evening featured seven finals, with established stars sweeping gold across multiple events.

Wang Shun’s Unprecedented 13-Peat

Wang Shun, the 32-year-old Olympic champion, extended his legendary run in the men’s 200m individual medley by winning his 13th consecutive national title with a time of 1:56.16. He was the only “post-90s” swimmer in the final field, finishing well ahead of his younger competitors.

“Faster than expected,” Wang told Xinhua after the race. “My pre-race goal was to swim under 1:57. My plan has three stages: first, swim under 1:59 at Spring Championships; now, under 1:57 here; at Asian Games, I hope to break 1:56.”

Reflecting on being chased by a new generation of swimmers, Wang said: “I still hope I can hold on for a while longer.” After the medal ceremony, he presented his mascot to coach Zhu Zhigen, whom he credited for his continued success. “I’m very grateful to Coach Zhu. I invited him many times before he decided to return part-time. When training gets intense, having him there gives me peace of mind.”

Wang Shun, who won Olympic gold in the 200m IM at the Tokyo 2020 Games with an Asian record of 1:55.00, has now won 14 national titles in the event overall. His sustained excellence over more than a decade marks an unprecedented achievement in Chinese swimming.

Xu Jiayu Returns to Form

Xu Jiayu, the 30-year-old two-time world champion in the 100m backstroke, won the men’s 100m backstroke final in 52.47 seconds — a time matching the level he first achieved in 2014.

“This result matches the level I first achieved in 2014 when I swam under 52.50. Returning to this form has required more effort than 12 years ago,” Xu said, as reported by The Paper.

The veteran backstroker explained his adapted training approach: “I adjusted my training — reduced volume, focused on neural control to feel technical movements more calmly. As I’ve aged, training duration decreased. This is my current scientific approach.”

Xu, who has won Olympic silver medals across three Games (Rio 2016, Tokyo 2020, Paris 2024), added: “My hopes are still on the world stage. Last time in Singapore [I couldn’t make the final], I hope I can return next time.”

Rising Stars and Other Results

Pan Zhanle, the rising sprint star, won the men’s 100m freestyle in 47.91 seconds — the only swimmer under 48 seconds in the field. “I haven’t fully reached my peak form. No excuses — I’ll keep challenging,” he said.

In women’s events, Li Bingjie won the 1500m freestyle in 16:06.81, young swimmer Yu Zidi claimed the 200m butterfly in 2:06.12, and Tang Qianting took the 50m breaststroke in 29.95. The women’s 4x100m freestyle relay saw Zhejiang take gold, followed by Guangdong and Shaanxi.

According to Sina Sports, Wang Shun’s 13 consecutive titles and his “inverse aging” performance curve have sparked widespread discussion on Chinese social media, with fans marveling at his ability to compete against swimmers born after 2000 and even 2010.

Implications for the Asian Games

The championships, running from June 16 to 21, serve as the primary qualification event for the 2026 Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games in Japan. China has traditionally dominated Asian swimming, and the strong performances from both veterans and emerging talents suggest the team will field a formidable squad.

Wang Shun’s stated goal of breaking 1:56 at the Asian Games would challenge his own Asian record of 1:54.62 set at the 2022 Hangzhou Asian Games. For Xu Jiayu, the focus remains on returning to world championship contention after missing the final at the last World Championships in Singapore.

As one spectator told The Paper: “In swimming, it’s truly ‘the older, the wiser.’ Wang Shun’s 13 consecutive titles is incredible. I hope more newcomers emerge to challenge these veterans.”

With five more competition days remaining, the championships will continue to reveal China’s depth and the next generation of swimmers aiming to break through against the country’s legendary veterans.