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Stephy Zhang

Daniel Ren

After a year of reflection, Olympic champion Zhang Yufei admitted she wants to become a “great athlete” and “leave records far behind others”.
The Chinese swimming star, known as the “Butterfly Queen”, also said that her mindset has shifted from purely chasing numbers to concentrating on performing at her best.
The double Tokyo Olympics gold medallist is the most decorated Olympian in Chinese history, with 10 medals across the last two Olympic Games – two golds, three silvers and five bronzes.
Speaking to the Post on the sidelines at the UBS Greater China Conference in Shanghai, Zhang said that each medal is a shot of confidence that brings her closer to her ultimate goal of excellence.
She also admitted that the pressure to succeed motivates her to become a better athlete.
“I also want to become a great athlete, to leave my records far behind others. So each medal I win is essentially a boost to my confidence.”

Zhang has not set a specific target on how many medals she would like to win in her career, but said “the more, the better”.
With the aim of competing at the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics, the 27-year-old’s focus is now on the Asian Games this September and then the World Aquatics Swimming Championships in December.
“Every step now is a new attempt for me,” she said. “I just want to say that I don’t want to set an upper limit for myself like before.”
Shaping future generations
When discussing role models, Zhang said she admired American swimmer Michael Phelps as a child because he “shocked the world and swimming”, and his achievements were “truly great”.
“For example, in swimming, I admire every athlete who is better than me in any event; they are all ones I can learn from,” she said.
Now in her position as a senior athlete in the locker room and a role model, Zhang knows she influences the younger generation.
One insight she shares with the younger generation is perseverance is not just “blindly” clocking endless miles; it is about having a clear goal and staying determined through the “ups and downs” along the way.
“It’s about identifying a goal, and then no matter the process, there will definitely be ups and downs, but whether up or down, I will persevere in wanting to achieve my goal.”
She encourages young swimmers to try new paths to success, noting that “actually, regardless of success or failure, you will gain a new experience on that road”.
Time to restart
Zhang took a rare break of nearly half a year after the Paris Olympics. And in 2025, she only competed in five events, winning two golds, three silvers and five bronzes.
Zhang said that the “restart” year fundamentally changed her relationship with the sport.
“The biggest gain was realising that my life is not solely about swimming, and it will no longer be the only goal of my life,” she said.
Although she remains one of the world’s strongest competitors, she now sees the pool as her “great platform” or “most capable and adept step” towards a more wonderful life.

“Now I want to improve my overall personal abilities more, not just confined to swimming.”
Even with this new outlook, Zhang has not ruled out competing beyond the Los Angeles Olympics.
“If I can learn and understand more, I am very willing to extend my athletic career indefinitely,” she said.
In a nod to progressive techniques, Zhang is trying to move away from the previous generations’ “accumulating massive amounts of training volume” approach and is using scientific nutrition-based and modern training methods.
Looking ahead, she hopes to represent Chinese athletes on the global stage by joining international sports organisations such as the International Olympic Committee.
For the “queen of butterfly,” whether it is preparing for the Asian Games, the journey to Los Angeles, or in life, “as long as you firmly believe in your goal, I think all roads lead to Rome”.


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The 27-year-old is the most decorated Olympian in Chinese history, with 10 medals across the past two Olympic Games


The 27-year-old is the most decorated Olympian in Chinese history, with 10 medals across the past two Olympic Games.


Zhang Yufei

Michael Phelps

Quest for greatness in the pool driving Olympic swimming champion Zhang Yufei forward

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}The 27-year-old is the most decorated Olympian in Chinese history, with 10 medals across the past two Olympic Games

The 27-year-old is the most decorated Olympian in Chinese history, with 10 medals across the past two Olympic Games