Pan Zhanle of Team China celebrates after the awarding ceremony for the men's 4X100m freestyle relay of swimming event at the World Aquatics Championships 2024 in Doha, Qatar, Feb. 11, 2024. (Xinhua/Xue Yuge)
DOHA, Feb. 11 (Xinhua) -- Doha ushered in the opening day of the swimming events on Sunday night, marked by Chinese swimmer Pan Zhanle setting a new men's 100m freestyle world record.
In the men's 4x100m freestyle relay, Pan clocked 46.80 seconds, surpassing Romania's David Popovici's previous record of 46.86 seconds.
"I'm extremely happy. Breaking a world record brings joy to me, proving that the training has paid off," the 19-year-old remarked. "My goal now is to go even faster. I can't predict how fast I can swim, but I hope my record won't be broken too soon."
Inspired by Pan's show, China's subsequent swimmers Ji Xinjie, Zhang Zhanshuo and Wang Haoyu delivered stellar performances, ultimately securing China's first gold medal in swimming events with a time of three minutes and 11.08 seconds.
Italy, represented by Alessandro Miressi, Lorenzo Zazzeri, Paolo Conte Bonin and Manuel Frigo, claimed silver exactly one second behind China. The United States quartet of Matt King, Shaine Casas, Luke Hobson and Carson Foster clinched bronze in three minutes and 12.29 seconds.
"My target in Doha now is the 100m freestyle title," Pan stated, "And winning the Olympic gold is my ultimate goal this year, and that means I need to train even harder." ■
Pan Zhanle (C) of Team China competes during the men's 4X100m freestyle relay final of swimming event at the World Aquatics Championships 2024 in Doha, Qatar, Feb. 11, 2024. (Xinhua/Xue Yuge)
Pan Zhanle of Team China competes during the men's 4X100m freestyle relay final of swimming event at the World Aquatics Championships 2024 in Doha, Qatar, Feb. 11, 2024. (Xinhua/Xue Yuge)
Zhang Zhanshuo of Team China competes during the men's 4X100m freestyle relay final of swimming event at the World Aquatics Championships 2024 in Doha, Qatar, Feb. 11, 2024. (Xinhua/Xue Yuge)
Pan Zhanle of Team China celebrates after the men's 4X100m freestyle relay final of swimming event at the World Aquatics Championships 2024 in Doha, Qatar, Feb. 11, 2024. (Xinhua/Xue Yuge)
Wang Haoyu (bottom) of Team China celebrates with teammates after the men's 4X100m freestyle relay final of swimming event at the World Aquatics Championships 2024 in Doha, Qatar, Feb. 11, 2024. (Xinhua/Xue Yuge)
Wang Haoyu of Team China celebrates after the men's 4X100m freestyle relay final of swimming event at the World Aquatics Championships 2024 in Doha, Qatar, Feb. 11, 2024. (Xinhua/Xue Yuge)
Wang Haoyu of Team China celebrates after the men's 4X100m freestyle relay final of swimming event at the World Aquatics Championships 2024 in Doha, Qatar, Feb. 11, 2024. (Xinhua/Xue Yuge)
Team China celebrate after winning the men's 4X100m freestyle relay final of swimming event at the World Aquatics Championships 2024 in Doha, Qatar, Feb. 11, 2024. (Xinhua/Xia Yifang)
Gold medalists Wang Haoyu, Zhang Zhanshuo, Ji Xinjie and Pan Zhanle (L to R) of Team China celebrate during the awarding ceremony for the men's 4X100m freestyle relay of swimming event at the World Aquatics Championships 2024 in Doha, Qatar, Feb. 11, 2024. (Xinhua/Luo Yuan)
Gold medalists Wang Haoyu, Zhang Zhanshuo, Ji Xinjie and Pan Zhanle (L to R) of Team China celebrate during the awarding ceremony for the men's 4X100m freestyle relay of swimming event at the World Aquatics Championships 2024 in Doha, Qatar, Feb. 11, 2024. (Xinhua/Xia Yifang)
Gold medalists Wang Haoyu(L, top), Zhang Zhanshuo (Bottom), Ji Xinjie (R, top) and Pan Zhanle (C, top) of Team China celebrate during the awarding ceremony for the men's 4X100m freestyle relay of swimming event at the World Aquatics Championships 2024 in Doha, Qatar, Feb. 11, 2024. (Xinhua/Luo Yuan)
Gold medalists of Team China (front), silver medalists of Team Italy (L) and bronze medalists of Team of the United States pose for photos during the awarding ceremony for the men's 4X100m freestyle relay of swimming event at the World Aquatics Championships 2024 in Doha, Qatar, Feb. 11, 2024. (Xinhua/Xia Yifan
