Zhang Zhanshuo Photo: VCG

The battle among Chinese swimming aces is in full swing at the National Games as the eight-day swimming competitions kicked off on Monday at the Shenzhen Universiade Center.

The Zhejiang team's Pan Zhanle and Wang Shun are leading the star-studded list, as the team won the men's 4x100 free relay gold medal. However, Pan, the world record holder in 100 meters, did not make it onto the podium in the individual distance 400 meters. 

Talking about his performance at the National Games, Pan admitted he is not in peak condition.

"My condition is just so-so this time. I hope I can adjust in the next few days," Pan told the Global Times. 

Asked about the growing competition in the men's freestyle, he remained humbled, saying young athletes still need to improve. 

"Both Zhang and I are still young. There's a lot for us to learn and many areas where we can continue to push our limits."

It was youngster Zhang Zhan­shuo of Shandong who thrilled the stadium opening night by smashing the world junior record in the 400 meters freestyle. 

Zhang, only 18 years old, lowered his world junior record from 3:42.99, which was set in September, to 3:42.82 on Monday.

Zhang told the Global Times that he is approaching his second National Games appearance with a calm mind-set and a focus on self-improvement rather than medal expectations.

"The result wasn't a big surprise. I didn't think too much about what time I could swim in before the race. I just wanted to perform at my best," Zhang told the Global Times, before noting he would continue to take things one step at a time. "I'll give my all in every race," he said.

Zhang will continue to compete in several other events at the Games, including the 200m and 800m freestyle, as well as the 400m individual medley and 1500m freestyle.

"There will be no giving up or bias toward any discipline. I'll go all out in every event," he said.

As one of the rising stars in Chinese swimming, Zhang is seen as a promising figure for the nation's freestyle program. 

But he remains humble about his role. "I still need to learn a lot from the senior swimmers," he said. "I still have many areas to improve. I'll keep learning from them and stay modest."

Veteran swimmer Sun Yang, who returned to competition in 2024 ­after serving a four-year ban due to an anti-doping rule violation, also made it into the 400 meters final. The 33-year-old said he still wants to contribute to swimming events. 

"Every race is about pushing myself, and more importantly, I hope to use my passion and perseverance to inspire everyone who loves sports, whether they're fitness enthusiasts or swimming fans, to take that first step and to maintain good health," Sun told the Global Times on Monday after finishing the men's 400 meters in sixth place. 

"I hope to use my passion to continue contributing to swimming," Sun told reporters on Monday. "Whether in individual events or relays, as long as veterans are needed, we will give it our all."

Sun, who is past his peak form, still remains an influential figure in domestic swimming, as his fans' voices are dominate inside the arena. 

Zhang Yufei, a two-time Olympic gold medalist, competed at the National Games with a slimmer shape. 

"I'm adapting, stabilizing, and yes I'm slimmer, though not in the way people might imagine that I've lost muscle," Zhang revealed to the Global Times. "I'm adjusting to a completely new training mode. It's been roughly two months since the change, so this competition is just the right chance to test it."

Zhang is participating in her fourth National Games. The 27-year-old told reporters that she feels more mature this time compared to her previous National Games appearances.

"This is my fourth time competing at the National Games, so mentally I feel a lot more mature now," Zhang, 27, told reporters on Monday. "My ideal goal is, obviously, to hit a new season best in every event I signed for."

"Seeing those young athletes, I felt as though I was looking at myself 10 years ago. Initially I didn't think much of it, but last night when I flipped through the start list and saw their ages, I suddenly felt really old."

Zhang sidelined herself from the swimming pool after an exhausting Paris Olympics before resuming training in February. 

She represented China again at the world championships in 2025, winning a silver medal in the mixed 4x100 meters relay. 

She has vowed to represent China again at the Los Angeles Olympics in 2028. 

"For me, this is more like the start of a new year. I've tried a lot of new things this year. So right now, it is far from the pressure that the National Games bring, it's more like a normal national competition to check myself," Zhang said.