Effervescent swim star delivers the feel-good factor after remarkable win streak on world stage

CHENGDU — Just two days after leaving the World Aquatics Championships with five medals, including two golds, Chinese swimmer Zhang Yufei made another huge splash at the World University Games — going on to complete a golden sweep of all nine events she competed in.

Drained and exhausted after her exertions, China's "butterfly queen", as ever, wore a big smile on her face.

"My medal cabinet is so loaded that my mother had to buy a new one. But I guess it will be full again after I return home from Chengdu," she said with a laugh.

As well as her prowess in the pool, Zhang's happy-go-lucky demeanor has endeared her to the nation, and no doubt helped her negotiate the trials and tribulations of being a professional sports star.

"I leave behind whatever upsets me after a nice sleep or two. If not, a hotpot will do!" she said.

Fukuoka feat

Having collected six bronze medals in total from her previous four world championships, Zhang admitted that she was "confident but nervous" ahead of her campaign in Fukuoka, Japan, last month. After all, she hadn't competed in a top-tier international competition for around half a year.

"I know I'm one of the best in the world, but it was playing on my mind that I might bring back a bunch of bronze medals again, so I was kind of nervous ahead of the 100m butterfly. I really hoped I could claim an individual gold."

A time of 56.12 seconds was enough to secure Zhang her first world championship title, and impress her idol and world-record holder Sarah Sjostrom.

"Us challengers have to get closer to her record to get her attention," said Zhang, whose winning time was 0.64 seconds shy of Sjostrom's 2016 benchmark.

"I think that's what I'm doing now. She is my idol, but I still want to surpass her one day. The greatest respect for your opponent is to give it your all. I am looking forward to that day."

Despite a haul of two gold, one silver and two bronze medals in Fukuoka, Zhang claimed that she was not at her best, both mentally and physically. She even felt a little fortunate to triumph in the 100 butterfly, where she fended off Canada's Margaret MacNeil and defending champion Torri Huske of the United States.

"The three of us are almost at the same level. We all have a shot at winning and breaking the world record. It really depends on who has the better opportunity and luck," said Zhang. "Last year, I was not in good shape to compete against them in all aspects. But this year, maybe it's the other way around, so I got the gold medal."

Zhang later pulled out of the 200 butterfly to focus on the mixed 4x100 medley relay, a decision that led to a team gold.

Performing to ever-growing expectations, Zhang makes no secret of the fact that she was relieved to skip the 200 fly — even though it's one of her strongest events.

"I'm one of those people who would rather not face failures. My coach did his best to help me break through, but it didn't work out well. So I tried to look for what motivates and comforts me," she admitted.

"Young athletes dare to dream. After becoming a champion, you start to be timid and worried about not winning again, which is what I'm facing now. I hope young athletes can become more confident and never be afraid of failure, which benefits them in the future."

Chengdu joy

After returning from the worlds, Zhang said she enjoyed the more relaxing and breezy atmosphere at the Chengdu games, describing it as "a rewarding moment in life".

"The Youth Olympic Games and the World University Games are probably once-in-a-lifetime opportunities for athletes, so I feel honored to be able to participate in both games at an appropriate age."

On top of four individual events, Zhang competed in five relays in Chengdu along with other stars like Li Bingjie and Qin Haiyang, aiming to pass on help and advice to the newcomers in the squad.

"The youngsters told me before the race that they were nervous. I said, 'There is no need to be, what are you worrying about? You have to believe in yourself and believe in us.'"

Zhang also made some new friends in Chengdu, such as Erin Paige Gallagher of South Africa.

"We swam together in the 50 butterfly, 100 butterfly and 100 freestyle. She was always in the lane next to me. She said I've got a good personality and speak good English," Zhang laughed.

"She wanted to see giant pandas, so I recommended visiting Hua Hua (Chengdu's most famous giant panda) and having hotpot. We really talked a lot."

A steady stream of selfie- and autograph-hunting fans in the athletes' village also cheered Zhang.

"I was really flattered at all the attention, and I hope I can be a role model for them," she said. "I started exchanging badges with fans, volunteers and athletes. I attached them to my games ID card.

"Before coming to Chengdu, I thought there would be a lot of fans cheering for us, but their enthusiasm was beyond my expectations."

Olympic ambitions

With two Olympic golds and one world title to her name, Zhang was expected to see off her rivals in Chengdu. However, considering her lack of recovery from Fukuoka, her level of performance was still something to behold — a nine-gold sweep and refreshing eight FISU records.

She simply viewed the Chengdu games as another tune-up for next year's Paris Olympics.

"Actually, I've been in this competition mode since the start of 2023, and everything is geared toward Paris," Zhang explained.

"People ask me why I signed up for nine events, swimming two or three races every day. It's because I want to improve my endurance, so I'll be able to cope better in Paris next year."

Zhang says she will head to Paris with a different mindset than her Tokyo campaign. "Before the Tokyo Olympics, it was more like I was fulfilling others' expectations... but now, I want to see how much potential I have, see if I can win the Olympics again, and see what my limits are."

Zhang admits that discipline is something she still struggles with.

"I'm kind of careless. I can't focus on all the details that my coach asks for. And I always find excuses to be lazy," she said.

However, she is spurred on by Team China's latest batch of stars, in particular newly crowned three-time world breaststroke champion Qin, who joined coach Cui Dengrong's team more than a year ago.

"I'm kind of a competitive person. If guys can do 15-kilo pull-ups, then so can I. If they do 40, I'll follow."

"Now that Haiyang is here, he's much more focused and determined in training than I am. Coach Cui and I have discussed this many times and he said, 'If you were as serious as Haiyang, you would have broken the world record a long time ago'," Zhang blushed. "So I tell myself not to be lazy anymore and work on the details."

Xinhua