At the Tokyo Olympics, Wang Shun won the men's 200-meter medley championship with what he thought was "unbelievable".
This heavy gold medal is the reward of his unremitting efforts for many years.
With achievement comes more and more responsibility.
As a veteran, he wants to set an example for the younger players and still holds himself to a high standard.
Now, he is about to set foot on the battlefield of the World Championships in Budapest.
Before departure, Wang Shun accepted an exclusive interview with China-Singapore Sports. He admitted that he had not played for several months, and now he is looking forward to the first international competition this year.
Wang Shun said that although the postponement of the Asian Games disrupted this year's competition plan, it also gave him more time to adjust.
He hoped that the national anthem would be played at the door of the house.
He has been engaged in swimming for many years, and his love is a powerful driving force.
The happiness of improving his performance can last for a long time, which is even happier than winning a lottery ticket.
Contest
China-Singapore Sports: About to participate in the World Championships, how is your current state?
Wang Shun: Now the training is carried out according to the coach's arrangement, but I still have some injuries, such as the shoulder is still a little uncomfortable, and the knee will react more obviously when the intensity is high.
Usually still affects training, and is currently actively treated.
However, there will always be time for the body to adjust, and it is impossible to be in the best state all the time.
No matter what, I will do my best.
China-Singapore Sports: What goals have you set for yourself in this World Championship?
Wang Shun: I think the main thing is to show my strength. I don't want to put too much pressure on myself. I just try my best to show what I have practiced.
Of course, I will also think about an approximate result. For example, last year's Olympic Games swam a 1:55.00. This is a very good result, and I didn't expect it before the competition
. I hope to be close to this result this time.
The men's 200-meter medley semi-final of the Tokyo Olympic swimming competition was held at the Tokyo Aquatic Center. China's Wang Shun advanced to the final with a time of 1:56.22.
Photo by China News Agency reporter Tomita
China-Singapore Sports: Was injury the biggest difficulty you encountered in preparing for the game?
Wang Shun:
Certainly not. Injuries have become the norm.
In addition, there will be many problems. The key is how to overcome the problem after encountering it, especially to solve this problem ideologically. I think it is the most important.
For example, when I encountered an injury before, I would be very afraid, and I felt that the sky might be falling, but now when I encounter an injury, I will have a certain plan in my heart, how to do it, how to overcome it, and what method to use to get this at the end. Time to adjust it.
China-Singapore Sports: This competition is the first World Series you participated in this year. What is your current state of mind?
Wang Shun: I'm looking forward to it, because after the short-course swimming championships ended last year, there was no competition for 7 months, and there was no chance to show my strength in the arena, so I was still very eager to compete.
Of course there will be pressure, but I will still find a way to decompress myself. Don't put too much pressure on myself before the game, you can play lightly.
China-Singapore Sports: After winning gold at the Tokyo Olympics last year, will your mentality change? For example, will it be more calm or more stressful to face competitions like the World Championships?
Wang Shun: There will be,
but I feel that the Olympics have already come, and the World Championships will definitely not be as stressful as the Olympics.
And this is also my sixth time participating in the World Championships, so I'm still looking forward to it.
In the men's 200m medley final of the 2017 FINA World Championships in Budapest, China's Wang Shun won the third place with a time of 1:56.28.
Photo by China News Agency reporter Tomita
China-Singapore Sports: What is the competition plan for this year?
Wang Shun: It turned out that my coach and my team set the direction mainly to participate in the Asian Games in September. The World Championships may not participate, but it is a pity that the Asian Games have been postponed due to various reasons, so I came to participate in the World Championships.
responsibility
China-Singapore Sports: Will the postponement of the Asian Games add more difficulties to your preparations? What are your goals for the Asian Games?
Wang Shun: Actually, from the end of the Olympic Games last year to the present, there will be some reactions in the body more or less, and it takes time to adjust. I think it may be a good thing.
I can better check the gaps and fill the gaps, improve the things that are lacking in the new cycle, and strive for better breakthroughs next year.
Because the Asian Games are special to me, it is held in Hangzhou, and I am also from Zhejiang, and
I hope that the national anthem can be played at my doorstep.
Zhongxin Sports: Do you feel that after the Tokyo Olympics, the burden on your body is getting heavier and heavier? Is this responsibility a pressure or an incentive for you?
Wang Shun: There will be.
But according to what our coach said,
since you have eaten this bowl of rice, you must eat it well.
So I will still put training at the top of the list and show what I usually practice on the field.
As a party member, I will always remind myself in my usual training, life and study that I must play a leading role and set an example for the team members around me.
I also learned from my coach Zhu Zhigen Zhu. Our coach is also an old party member. He usually teaches by words and deeds in life and training.
We have been together for a long time, and I have seen and learned, and I think it has gradually become a habit.
In the men's 200-meter medley final at the Tokyo Olympics, China's Wang Shun won the championship with a time of 1:55. After winning the bronze medal in the event at the Rio Olympics, he successfully reached the top podium.
Photo by China News Agency reporter Tomita
China-Singapore Sports: Last year, you were named the Best Male Swimming Athlete in Asia in 2021 by professional swimming media. What does this selection result mean to you?
Wang Shun: I think it is an affirmation of my swimming career for so many years, because when the best Asian male athlete was selected every year, I very much hope that one day I can become a person like them.
Finally last year I also became the best male athlete in Asia, I am very excited and proud.
China-Singapore Sports: When summarizing 2021, you said that you have gained a lot. If it is at the end of 2022, how do you hope to summarize this year?
Wang Shun: It was also a year full of harvest.
(laughs) I hope to do the things in front of me step by step. I think it will be a matter of course in the end.
In fact, in the process of improvement, athletes may have been taking detours and fork in the road, and then choosing a path that is most helpful to them. I think this is the meaning of the growth and harvest of athletes every year, and this is the cornerstone of performance improvement.
love
Zhongxin Sports: You have been in the current industry for so many years, can you still enjoy swimming?
Wang Shun: Yes, if an athlete doesn't love this sport, I think he is definitely not far from retirement.
First of all, I have to maintain my love, and secondly, I feel that happiness comes from the improvement of my performance in training every day.
When I have a very good result, I feel that this happiness can last for a long time, which is even happier than if I bought a lottery and won the lottery.
In the men's 200-meter medley final at the Tokyo Olympics, China's Wang Shun won the championship with a time of 1:55. After winning the bronze medal in the event at the Rio Olympics, he successfully reached the top podium.
Photo by China News Agency reporter Tomita
China-Singapore Sports: The improvement of performance can bring you happiness. Can this happiness cover the dullness of training and the suffering of injuries?
Wang Shun: Yes, because I'm used to it. When your goal is set there, I don't think it's a big problem.
China-Singapore Sports: Besides swimming, do you have any other sports you like? How is the level?
Wang Shun: I also like playing basketball very much. For example, when there is no game or when the game is over, I will go to the basketball court with my teammates to play.
I played center or power forward, maybe because I couldn't run or was too lazy to run, and I just stood there.
(laugh)
In the men's 200-meter medley final at the Tokyo Olympics, China's Wang Shun won the championship with a time of 1:55. After winning the bronze medal in the event at the Rio Olympics, he successfully reached the top podium.
Photo by China News Agency reporter Tomita
China-Singapore Sports: After the Uber Cup, you posted on Weibo to encourage Chinese athletes, and you also paid attention to the Winter Olympics. As an athlete, do you feel more emotional when you watch other sports competitions?
Wang Shun: I can understand them very well, and I get very nervous when I watch them.
I watched a lot of short-track speed skating competitions in the Winter Olympics, especially the relay, which is closer to our swimming event, and everyone is a racing event.
The feeling when sprinting is really hard to overcome after the lactic acid is on top, but everyone is still insisting and fighting. I feel very empathetic.
China-Singapore Sports: What are your expectations for the 2024 Paris Olympics?
Wang Shun: In the new cycle, the entire team will make a series of preparations around the Paris Olympics. I will maintain a normal mind, usually do a good job in training,
and test the results of my training through competitions at different stages. I believe the results will come. It will come naturally.
(Author Wang Hao)