Gold medalist China's Zhang Yufei (C), silver medalist South Africa's Erin Paige Gallagher (L) and bronze medalist Cyprus' Kalia Antoniou pose during the awarding ceremony after the swimming women's 50m freestyle final at the Chengdu Universiade, southwest China's Sichuan Province on Aug. 7, 2023. (Xinhua/Huang Wei)
China claimed 18 golds from the pool as the swimming concluded at the Chengdu Universiade, followed by Italy and Poland.
CHENGDU, Aug. 8 (Xinhua) -- China swept 18 golds from the pool as the swimming competitions wrapped up at the Chengdu Universiade with the FISU records broken 14 times, while Italy and Poland followed suit with eight and six golds respectively.
Away from the pool, young athletes from universities around the world are harvesting friendship and touching memories in Chengdu, one of the most vibrant cities in China.
PREPARED BUT BEYOND EXPECTATION
On the last day of swimming competitions, China won four titles in three women's events of 50m freestyle, 400m freestyle and 4x100 medley relay as well as men's 4x100 medley relay.
It's a huge contrast to its original target of five to eight golds. "Our best athletes just came back from the World Aquatics Championships in Japan and were not in their best conditions," Liu Zhenqing, deputy leader of the Chinese swimming team, said before the Universiade.
Zhang Yufei of China celebrates after the swimming women's 50m freestyle final on Aug. 7, 2023. (Xinhua/Wu Gang)
However, the Chinese swimmers surprised everyone at Dong'an Lake Sports Park Aquatics Center, with Zhang Yufei of Southeast University becoming the most prolific star swimmer by winning all nine events she competed in.
Prior to the Universiade, the 25-year-old Zhang collected two golds from the Tokyo Olympics and won the women's 100m butterfly at the Fukuoka worlds. Despite tiredness, Zhang showed sportsmanship and broke the FISU records eight times in Chengdu.
"The cabinet for medals in my house was full. My mother has just bought a larger one, but I told her it will be full soon after I return home from Chengdu," said Zhang, adding that she aims to win seven golds at the upcoming Hangzhou Asian Games.
Spearheaded by elite swimmers like Zhang and Olympic champion Li Bingjie, the new generation of Chinese swimmers is improving.
"I feel so lucky to fight together with them, and I wish I could be a world-class athlete like them in the future," said Lin Tao from Shenzhen University who won the men's 4x100 medley relay swimming the fourth leg.
ITALY AND POLAND SHINE
Both Italy and Poland also achieved a lot at the Universiade. Italy took eight golds, 10 silvers and 13 bronzes, while Poland pocketed six golds, seven silvers and two bronzes.
Matteo Lamberti of Italy celebrates after the Men's 400m Freestyle Final on Aug. 1, 2023. (Xinhua/Wu Gang)
Furthermore, the Italian family stories were echoed at the Universiade after Lamberti brothers, Matteo and Michele, are bringing five medals back home from Chengdu.
Their father and coach, Giorgio Lamberti, was Italy's first world champion in 1991 and once world record holder in the short-course 400m freestyle and long-course 200m freestyle. Their mother Tanya Vannini and sister Noemi are also elite swimmers.
"I'm really happy about the results we got. Our father didn't come with us this time, but he's at home watching us on TV. I think he will be very satisfied and proud of us," Matteo said.
When sharing Poland's secrets for success, Kacper Aleksander Stokowski said they were benefiting from their pre-game training.
"We united as one and all are well-prepared. We had good atmosphere in Poland and our medals will inspire more kids to begin to swim," the bronze medalist of the mixed 4x100 medley relay said.
Gold medalists team China (L, top), silver medalists team Poland (L, bottom), bronze medalists team Japan (R, top) and team Italy pose during the awarding ceremony of the women's 4 x 100m medley relay on Aug. 7, 2023. (Xinhua/Zhang Long)
Being the main rival in Asia, Japan also had its moments when Kaito Tabuchi of Meiji University, clinched gold in the men's 400m individual medley and two silvers in men's 800m and 1,500m freestyle, and its swimmers won the men's 4x200m freestyle relay.
Yet, all these results are achieved as the United States didn't send its best squad while other powerhouse Australia didn't show up in the pool.
MEMORIES BEYOND POOL
Chengdu Universiade is also a platform for sportsmanship and friendship, and even among the generations.
World champion Qin Haiyang, from Tongji University who has won five golds at the Universiade, congratulated the 89-year-old Qi Lieyun for winning a bronze in the men's 100m breaststroke at FINA World Aquatics Masters Championships in Fukuoka where Qin himself broke the world record in men's 200m breaststroke last month.
"I have been quite familiar with your story and inspired by your Olympic spirit. I will follow your steps to move on," Qin told his predecessor Qi.
Early in 1957, Qi became the first Chinese swimmer to break a world record in the men's 100m breaststroke. "Sixty-six years ago, swimmers in my generation climbed to the top of the world from men's breaststroke. Nowadays, our young swimmers are shiny in more events," Qi said.
Erin Paige Gallagher from South Africa lost to China's Zhang Yufei in women's 50m and 100m butterfly as well as 100m freestyle, but still felt happy and even make friends with Zhang.
Gold medalist Zhang Yufei (C), silver medalist Erin Paige Gallagher (L) of South Africa and bronze medalist Giulia D'innocenzo of Italy attend the awarding ceremony for swimming women's 100m butterfly on Aug. 5, 2023. (Xinhua/Chen Zeguo)
"Being able to compete with such a world champion is really unforgettable," said Gallagher.
"Erin is the first foreign friend I have made in Chengdu, because she always swam alongside me. We liked each other and I recommended her to watch Hua Hua, the star panda in Chengdu and to eat hotpot," Zhang said.
"My experience in Chengdu is really happy. After the Games, I want to do three things. First, I want to learn to write my name in Chinese. Second, I will go to see Huahua. Third, I would like to hang around the city, it's so beautiful!" Gallagher said. ■
