Splash brothers making waves

Different personalities

Since childhood, coach Zheng Shan has been a key figure in the two swimmers' development.

"Speaking of those two kids, it's quite interesting. Yan Zibei had just graduated from the third grade and then came here in July when he was just 9. He was dark-skinned, thin and tall. Sun Jiajun came to our team after six grade when he was light-skinned and a little chubby," recalled coach Zheng.

"They had different personalities, but they were both very promising young kids with great potential."

Zheng said that since helping the two athletes become training partners, she has been urging her two apprentices to help and respect each other, and to always strive to make progress together.

"I told Sun that you should always wish your captain Yan the best, and I told Yan the same thing. That's how you two can make progress together. We are a team, and even a family. I often cite them as examples to teach the other swimmers in my team," Zheng added.

From Yan and Sun's perspective, Zheng is more like a maternal figure than a coach.

Yan revealed that coach Zheng had persuaded him to stick with swimming during a period when he doubted his commitment.

"I was still at elementary school, so I could not decide if I should stay in the team or stick with regular school life. Each summer or winter vacation, I would rush back home and refuse to return. It was coach Zheng who called me relentlessly and asked me back," said Yan.

The coach also proved pivotal for Sun, who had to undergo knee surgery in 2019.

"I just wanted Yan to maintain his passion and dreams in swimming, even if he's now already a veteran. And for Sun, he has big ambitions now. I just hope he can achieve all of his dreams. I have only the best wishes for them. I always believed their hard work would pay off," said Zheng.

shifutian@chinadaily.com.cn