Asian Games: ‘I’m the best and the strongest,’ China swimmer Sun Yang tells the world as he eyes 2020 Tokyo Olympics
The three-time Olympic champion is issuing a warning to his international rivals that he will be a major force at the next Games
China swimming superstar Sun Yang wants to tell the world that he is still the best and the strongest swimmer alive, despite his back issues, in a warning to rivals ahead of the 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo.
The 26-year-old three-time Olympic champion has been plagued by back problems at the Asian Games in Jakarta but still managed to win three gold medals and a silver, with one more event to go.
The flamboyant Chinese giant said encouraging words from his Australian coach Denis Cotterell before the Jakarta Games has given him confidence to overcome his injury and take on the world yet again.
“[Denis] told me that I am the best and the strongest,” Sun was quoted as saying. “He told me this and I also want to tell the world. I am still a very threatening swimmer.”
In Jakarta, Sun has taken gold in the men’s 200m, 800m and 400m freestyle events while winning silver in the men’s 4x200m relay.
Sun won one gold at the 2016 Rio Olympics, in the 200m freestyle,and was beaten to the silver in the 400m freestyle by Australian Mack Horton, who verbally sparred with the Chinese swimmer throughout the competition.