by sportswriters Zhang Can and Liu Yichun
TOKYO, Sept. 29 (Xinhua) -- Three gold medals in three events made Wang Zongyuan's return to the Tokyo Aquatics Center a triumphant one.
But five years after winning his first Olympic title in this very pool, the Chinese diver's Asian Games campaign has been about more than adding three more golds to his collection. It has offered a glimpse of what has changed in the young champion who once took the world by storm.
Wang completed his gold-medal sweep at the Aichi-Nagoya Games on Tuesday, following victories in the men's synchronized 3m springboard and 1m springboard with a successful defense of his men's 3m springboard title.
"It was a challenge for me to compete in three events and fight for three gold medals, especially as I get older," Wang said after his third victory. "I'm very happy that I managed to push through and accomplish the goal, although the overall performance was not perfect."
That last sentence may say more about Wang than the three gold medals themselves.
In Tuesday's 3m final, Wang remained in control from the opening dive, but he was not immune to mistakes. His fifth dive, a back 3 1/2 somersaults in tuck position, earned 68.40 points, his lowest score of the final. He recovered with 85.50 on his last attempt to finish with 494.40.
Wang later admitted that he had felt the strain of competing in three events.
"I didn't hesitate in the final. I tried to be more confident, relaxed and decisive," he said. "But in the later rounds, I could clearly feel that my physical reserves were not enough."
For Wang, learning to recognize and manage such moments has become part of growing older in the sport.
Five years ago, when he stood on the same pool deck as a 20-year-old Olympic champion, Wang described himself as someone who simply went all out.
"Five years ago, I was a young athlete who was just starting out. I went all out and competed without holding anything back," he said after winning the synchronized 3m springboard title. "After five years of growth, I feel more mature and more stable. I have gained experience and learned from different competitions."
Perhaps no change is more obvious than the way people around him now address him.
There was once "Xiao Wang," or the younger Wang, the fearless rising star. Now he hears "Lao Wang," or the older Wang, a playful nickname reflecting not only his years on the national team but also the role he has gradually taken on among younger teammates.
Wang sees that evolution as part of his journey.
"From the time I first stepped onto the international stage until now, I feel that I've become more mature. I can adjust and control myself more quickly during competitions," he said. "All these experiences and lessons have helped me grow."
He is also quick to share the credit.
"I couldn't have become the calm and steady 'Lao Wang' I am today without my country, my team, my coaches and my teammates," he said. "Their encouragement and support have allowed me to keep moving forward."
Wang's relationship with diving began long before the Olympic titles and nicknames.
In 2008, he was a young boy watching the Beijing Olympics on television while training in gymnastics. He spent two years in gymnastics before switching to diving after the Games.
Growing up in Xiangyang in central China's Hubei Province, along the Han River, Wang had always been drawn to water. His parents enjoyed swimming and often took him into the water when he was young.
When he had to choose between gymnastics and diving, the decision came easily.
"I really liked water," Wang recalled.
What began as a childhood attraction eventually became an Olympic career. Wang has spoken of the 2008 Games as the moment when the dream of competing at the Olympics was first planted in his mind.
His childhood idol was Chinese diving champion He Chong. Years later, Wang had the opportunity to talk with his former idol and learn from his experience.
Now Wang increasingly finds himself on the other side of that relationship.
That role was on display Tuesday with younger teammate Zheng Jiuyuan, his partner in the synchronized 3m springboard. Zheng made two major errors in the individual 3m final but fought back to take silver, scoring 93.60 points on his final dive, the highest single-dive score of the competition.
Wang was impressed by the way Zheng responded.
"He made a big mistake on the first dive, but became more relaxed in the following rounds and performed his movements more freely," Wang said. "I think this was valuable experience and a lesson for him, helping him find a better balance between excitement and control."
Zheng has described Wang as someone he learns from, and the two have developed a close partnership in training and competition. After they won the synchronized 3m title on Saturday, Wang told Zheng: "Believe in yourself, surpass yourself, and then let's win Olympic gold together."
In 2021, Tokyo marked the arrival of a young Olympic champion. Five years later, the same city has seen Wang complete a three-gold sweep at the Asian Games and emerge as a more experienced diver, teammate and guide.
Yet Wang is not looking back on his career as something already complete.
"Later, the person you become will definitely thank the person you are now for working hard and striving," he said.
For now, his direction is clear.
"See you in Los Angeles," Wang said. ■
