Chinese swimmer Pan Zhanle wins first race against Sun Yang – but admits to nerves
Pan says he was ‘particularly nervous’ before winning battle of generations at Chinese National Swimming Championships in Shenzhen
The Chinese National Swimming Championships have started with a bang as Sun Yang and Pan Zhanle – respectively China’s best of a decade ago and the present – raced for the first time, in the men’s 400m freestyle.
It went the younger man’s way as 20-year-old Pan, the reigning Olympic 100m freestyle champion, came home first in Shenzhen late on Saturday in 3:45.34, just ahead of Fei Liwei’s 3:45.57 for silver.
Sun, 33, who still holds the national 400m record with a time of 3:40.14 set in 2012, had to settle for bronze in 3:47.53.
“He [Pan] is already standing at the highest position an athlete can,” Sun said. “He has a long future ahead of him, and I hope he can be happy when he competes.”
Double Olympic gold medallist Pan is renowned for his speed over shorter distances and has not competed internationally in several months.