On the first day of the swimming competition, Hubei won gold and silver, Ai Yanhan: I am very happy to win a gold for my hometown

Hubei player Zhang Ziyang in the game. Xinhua News Agency

Yangtze River Daily Wuhan client September 19 (special reporter Zhang Lin) On September 19, the 14th Games gold medal swimming competition kicked off, and Zhang Yufei, Wang Shun, Yan Zibei and other Olympic star athletes took turns to appear. Four gold medals were decided that night. The Hubei team won a gold and a silver medal, namely Wuhan girl Ai Yanhan won the championship in the women's 4×100m freestyle with the Olympic team, and Zhang Ziyang finished second in the men's 400m freestyle final that ended earlier.

The women's 4×100m freestyle final was the third gold medal that night. Ai Yanhan, who played as the third stick, formed an Olympic team with teammates Cheng Yujie, Zhu Menghui and Wu Qingfeng to compete. From the start, the united team established a lead, and each baseball player played very well, eventually finishing first in 3:35.50.

Due to the next 4×200m freestyle final, Ai Yanhan did not accept an interview after winning the championship and ran into the lounge with a smoke. A few minutes later, she appeared in the pool with the Hubei women's team. Partnering her in the 4×200m freestyle finals were Peng Xuwei, Yang Peiqi and Zhang Yuhan.

15-year-old Yang Peiqi is Ai Yanhan's little sister in the Wuhan swimming team, and she won the women's championship at the 2021 River Crossing Festival. Yang Peiqi also participated in the National Games for the first time this year, and this game was the second stick of the Hubei team. The 4× 200m freestyle final was fiercely competitive, and Hubei was pulled away by Zhejiang in the second swimming breaststroke. Directly PK with Yang Peiqi is London Olympic gold medalist Ye Shiwen! In the end, the Hubei team won the fourth place in the project. Zhejiang, Shandong and Guangdong ranked in the top three.

In the mixed mining area, Ai Yanhan told the Yangtze River Daily reporter: "Fighting two shots in a row is indeed a test of physical fitness, but I still want to do my best to fight." Because the first shot I was a joint team, relatively speaking, it may be more stable. The second shot is to represent Hubei on behalf of Wuhan, which is also to fight for my hometown, and I must do my best to fight. I am very happy to win a gold for my hometown today. "Ai Yanhan said that he still has two single events and two relays in the 100 meters and 200 meters freestyle." I hope I can still stand on the podium! The little girl said happily.

The 19-year-old Ai Yanhan entered the Wuhan swimming team at the age of 6, was selected for the national team at the age of 13, competed in the Olympic Games at the age of 14, and is currently an athlete of the Wuhan professional team. At the Tokyo Olympics, she competed with the Chinese team in the 4×100m freestyle competition, finishing 7th with a time of 3:34.76, breaking the Asian record.

In the men's 400m freestyle final, which ended earlier, Hubei Zhang Ziyang finished second. At the opening ceremony of this year's National Games, Zhang Ziyang was the standard-bearer of the Hubei delegation. Before the opening ceremony, he won a gold medal for the Hubei team in the men's 10 km marathon swimming. Participating in long-distance competitions is a huge drain on Zhang Ziyang's physical strength. Even after a week of recovery, Zhang Ziyang still felt a lack of physical fitness in the 400m freestyle final that night. "The last 50 meters felt a bit strenuous." He said. In this swimming competition, Zhang Ziyang will participate in a total of 4 individual events and 4 relays. He is also the only "steel warrior" in the National Games to compete in all of the 200-meter freestyle to the 10-kilometer marathon, "I did the math, a total of 17 shots." Strive to bring surprises to everyone later. He said finally.

【Editor: Tao Qing】