China News Service, Nagoya, Japan, September 24. Title: Exclusive interview with Wang Shun: Five Asian Games, thank you for not giving up
Reporter Guoxuan
Five Asian Games, 16 years. From a 16-year-old boy who debuted in the international arena to a 32-year-old veteran still riding waves in the swimming pool, Wang Shun's Asian Games story finally came to an ending that he himself felt was "satisfactory."
At the 2026 Aichi Nagoya Asian Games, Wang Shun won 1 gold and 2 bronze medals, standing on the podium for the fifth consecutive Asian Games. In addition to the gold medal, this event has a more special meaning for him: he took his parents back to the venue where he won the Olympics, reunited with his former opponents in another way, and finally could smile and say to himself - "Thank you for not giving up."
"Each Asian Games is very unforgettable and leaves behind many wonderful memories. Everything seems like yesterday, and I feel quite happy with the ending like this." Recently, Wang Shun accepted an exclusive interview with a reporter from China News Service, looking back on this Asian Games journey spanning 16 years, and also talked about the struggles and persistence that the outside world has never seen.
Return to the old place and bid farewell happily
Tokyo Water Sports Center, for Wang Shun, is a place full of memories.
At the 2021 Tokyo Olympics, he won the men's 200-meter individual medley gold medal here, reaching the highest podium of the Olympics for the first time. Five years later, the 32-year-old Wang Shun returned to this familiar venue. He even brought the Olympic gold medal with him and invited his parents to watch the game to make up for the regret that his parents were unable to witness his victory.
"When I return to this venue, some fragmented memories of the Olympics will emerge from every place." The details of the warm-up before the game and the scene of hugging and crying with his mentor Zhu Zhigen after winning the championship are still clearly left in Wang Shun's memory.
This time, he also reunited with his old rival Kosuke Hagino.
The two are the same age and have competed against each other many times in international competitions. At the 2014 Incheon Asian Games, Hagino won the men's 200-meter individual medley championship, and Wang Shun won the bronze medal; at the 2018 Jakarta Asian Games, Wang Shun defeated his opponent and won the Asian Games individual event gold medal for the first time.
Today, Mr. Hagino has retired for five years. This time he appeared as an award guest at the award ceremony of the men's 400-meter individual medley event.
Looking at his old friend in formal attire, Wang Shun couldn't help but joke: "You are sweating all the time in such a formal dress. Why don't you take off your clothes and let's go for a swim in the water."
Revisiting old places, being with parents, reuniting with old friends... Although the results of personal events did not meet expectations, Wang Shun felt that he was able to bid farewell to familiar events in familiar venues, and "was a happy person."
"This should be my last Asian Games," he said.
I stumbled a lot, but luckily I didn’t give up.
"It's really just one step away, and you might not be able to see me now."
Talking about his experience after the Paris Olympics, Wang Shun admitted that he had many times thought of saying goodbye to the swimming pool completely.
It is not easy for the 32-year-old to continue competing in the individual medley. Especially the 400-meter individual medley, which places higher demands on physical recovery, training arrangements and mentality.
While some veterans are gradually turning to short-distance events, Wang Shun still needs to be tested on a track he is familiar with.
"What was the meaning of your perseverance before? You've been going for so long, why don't you persevere again?" Relying on self-encouragement time and time again, he finally made it to the fifth Asian Games with "stumbling and patchwork".
"Thank you for not giving up then."
From winning his first Asian Games medal at the 2010 Guangzhou Asian Games, to winning the Asian Games individual event gold medal for the first time at the 2018 Jakarta Asian Games, to setting a new Asian record in the men's 200-meter individual medley at the 2023 Hangzhou Asian Games with a time of 1:54.62, Wang Shun's career has had both high moments and lows.
Facing the strong host players this time, he won bronze medals in two individual medley events. His results were slower than expected, but he was able to face it calmly.
"Sometimes you may have to work harder than in the previous cycle, but that doesn't mean you will succeed or your grades will go up. It may even go backwards."
In his view, the meaning of competitive sports is not just about winning or losing. Those struggles and persistence are also constantly tempering my patience and confidence.
Leave patience to the young
At this Asian Games, Wang Shun is the oldest athlete on the Chinese swimming team, and the youngest Yu Zidi is only 13 years old.
From the young boy who first competed in the Asian Games to the "big brother" of the team today, Wang Shun also sees the future of Chinese swimming in his young teammates.
This time, he participated in the preliminaries of the men's 4×200m freestyle relay. In the final, the Chinese team composed of Xu Haibo, Fei Liwei, Pan Zhanle, and Zhang Zhanshuo set a new Asian record and won the gold medal in this event again after 16 years.
Wang Shun, who was watching the competition on the spot, couldn't hide his excitement and said with a smile that he had "snapped" the gold medal. Zhang Zhanshuo's outstanding performance in the last shot inspired him even more.
He was also impressed by 13-year-old Yu Zidi. She set a new Asian record in the women's 200-meter individual medley with a time of 2:06.10, the second-best time in the history of the event.
"Don't be afraid of strong enemies, dare to show your sword, and perform to your level in international competitions." When talking about his young teammates, Wang Shun did not hesitate to praise him.
"They are all very mature and excellent athletes." In normal times, Wang Shun also often communicates with young players on training details, competition experience and mentality adjustment to learn and encourage each other.
However, having experienced many years of ups and downs, he hopes that the outside world can give young athletes more room to grow.
"Winning first does not necessarily mean winning. There are also people like me who break out at the age of 27 or 28. Every athlete takes a different path."
He specifically mentioned that individual medley is an event that emphasizes comprehensive development and requires long-term accumulation of experience. He hopes that everyone will give more patience to the reserve forces.
Now that the story of the five Asian Games has been written, what Wang Shun wants to do most is to have a good rest, eat something delicious, and "go home to celebrate the Mid-Autumn Festival."
After a short break, he will also prepare for the Short Course Championships in October and the Short Course World Championships in December, and participate in subsequent trials.
As for whether to compete in the Los Angeles Olympics, he has yet to make a decision.
"Sometimes I go too far and am irresponsible to myself and the people who care about me."
Say goodbye to the Asian Games, but there is no rush to say goodbye to the swimming pool. Regarding the future, the 32-year-old veteran still chooses to "take it one step at a time".
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