Data map: On August 6, 2015, Ning Zetao celebrated after the men's 100m freestyle final at the World Swimming Championships in Kazan.

　　Chinanews.com, Beijing, March 6th (Reporter Xing Rui) Ning Zetao, who was once an all-powerful swimmer in China, celebrates his 30th birthday today.

Now when this name is mentioned, many swimming fans will have a sense of familiarity and strangeness.

Since retiring, Ning Zetao has almost disappeared from public view.

And last month, he "returned" in a way that many people did not expect.

　　When the pointer of time passes by today, can Ning Zetao, who is in his 30s, open up a new world?

Screenshot of China Tour official website.

fight to fame

　　At the end of February, the news that Ning Zetao signed up for the China Golf Tournament spread like wildfire on the Internet.

According to the official website of the China Tour, Ning Zetao participated in the 2023 China Tour International Open Qualifying Tournament held in Danzhou, Hainan from March 20 to 25.

Although they are all playgrounds, the appearance of this former famous swimming player still makes people feel as if they have passed away.

　　For 30-year-old Ning Zetao, swimming has occupied most of his life.

I still remember that in Kazan, Russia eight years ago, Ning Zetao, who was only 22 years old at the time, won the gold medal in the men's 100-meter freestyle with a time of 47.84 seconds, becoming the first world champion in Asia in the 100-meter freestyle.

　　"Ning Zetao, you are the flagship in the water!"

　　The eloquent comment of the TV commentary is still echoing in my ears. It contains the expectations of many Chinese people for the rise of short-distance swimming in China. The clear water in the Kazan Central Stadium also achieved the brightest moment of Ning Zetao's career.

　　Time flies, and Ning Zetao's "Battle of the Conferred Gods" gradually disappeared in people's memory along with the rolling wheel of history.

After retiring, Ning Zetao stayed away from the hustle and bustle of the Internet, and fans could only spy on his recent situation from his infrequently updated social media.

　　Ning Zetao cross-border golf, in fact, there are already clues to be found.

In September 2019, Ning Zetao appeared at the Beijing Tianxing Station of the China Tour.

He wrote in a post: "Everyone got to know me in the water, and I also swam to my peak in the water. I want to see the world outside the pool. Leaving the water, my freestyle has just begun."

Data map: On the evening of January 24, 2016, the 2015 "CCTV China Sports Man of the Year" awards ceremony was held in Beijing. Swimmer Ning Zetao won the Best Male Athlete Award.

Photo by China News Agency reporter Tomita

turn away

　　Whether Ning Zetao's golf career will achieve as brilliant results as swimming is still unknown.

But four years ago today, his declaration of retirement put an end to all expectations related to him in Chinese swimming.

　　"Don't be afraid of the past, don't be afraid of the future! Bid farewell to the clear water of the swimming pool, and start a new life of your own." On his 26th birthday, Ning Zetao left such a passage to put an end to the past glory and twists and turns.

　　From winning four gold medals in the Incheon Asian Games to making history in the Kazan World Championships, Ning Zetao became a hot sports superstar at that time.

At the same time, the turmoil outside the court pushed him to the cusp of public opinion.

　　Under the involvement of various interests, he fell into various conflicts with sponsors and swimming centers, and was once adjusted out of the national team.

　　After experiencing various changes, Ning Zetao finally embarked on the field of the Rio Olympics.

However, three of the four events he participated in did not enter the finals. The only men's 4x100m medley relay that entered the finals was disqualified due to fouls in the handover of 2 and 3 rods.

His trip to Rio finally ended dismal in the shadows.

Data map: The picture shows that on the evening of September 26, 2014, the swimming competition of the Incheon Asian Games ended at Wenhe Swimming Hall. Ning Zetao showed off his gold medal.

Image source: Visual China

there will be a period later

　　After the Rio Olympics, the CCTV documentary "Turning Point" was broadcast.

Ning Zetao told the public about his experience there, and said bluntly: "I have seen the ugliness of human nature." He was only 23 years old that year.

　　He has experienced ups and downs at a young age. Perhaps some experiences have wiped out Ning Zetao's love for swimming and made him leave the swimming pool early.

But this world is not "black and white", as Ning Zetao's mentor Ye Jin said in the documentary: "Athletes have athletes' ideas, countries have national ideas, swimming center leaders, they have swimming center leadership. Thoughts.” From different standpoints, views on the same event are naturally quite different.

　　The past cannot be admonished, but the coming can still be pursued.

Ning Zetao, who has experienced great ups and downs, is still young and has more insights into life and the future.

He once wrote on social media: "Life is a journey against the wind. In the face of life, the best mentality is to live out yourself. Be brave! Be careful! Keep your head down with firm steps, and look up with a clear distance. "

　　Whether right or wrong, fortunately, Ning Zetao is far away from the vortex of public opinion.

The past is dark and untraceable, but the future is still bright and brilliant.

Without the siege of the media with long guns and short guns, and without the "examination" like a magnifying glass from the outside world, he can finally live as he pleases.

　　I hope that Ning Zetao will have sunny days in the days ahead without any haze.

(over)