Tearful Sun claims second gold

Chinese ace praises parents after another freestyle win at worlds

China's long-distance giant, Sun Yang, admitted he was not ashamed to cry after winning his second gold at swimming's world championships on Wednesday in the 800 meters freestyle final.

Having emphatically won the 400m freestyle title on Sunday, the 21-year-old Sun was never troubled in Wednesday's final as he clocked 7 min, 41.36 sec with Michael McBroom of the US second, 2.24 sec behind, and Canada's Ryan Cochrane 2.34 sec adrift.

With his victory confirmed, Sun stayed in the pool to celebrate along with the vocal Chinese supporters in the crowd and he let the tears flow during the medal ceremony.

The Chinese again proved he has few peers in the distance freestyle events as he defended the 800m title he won in Shanghai two years ago.

Sun has had a difficult year since winning the 400m and 1,500m freestyle golds at London 2012 after splitting with his coach Zhu Zhigen and moving to Hong Kong to work with former Chinese head coach Zhang Yadong.

"To compete with the USA and Australia is very hard for Chinese swimmers and I am very proud of myself," said Sun.

"Everyone has their own way of expressing themselves and for me it is to cry.

"I am very happy with my performance and to get another gold medal.

"The pressure comes from both myself and people outside.

"Before the race I felt huge pressure," Sun, who beat his chest as he saluted his supporters in the crowd on claiming victory, said.

"When I touched first I was relieved and, yes, a bit over-excited," he said. "The time was in the range I expected so I am totally satisfied."

"At the end, I gave the flowers to my parents to show my gratitude to them for supporting me after I left my coach."

With the 1,500m heats to come on Saturday, Sun can finish with three golds and looks set to become the male star of the championships.

"I haven't thought about breaking records or being the star of the games, I just want to win as many golds as possible," he said.

The 22-year-old McBroom, who won his first major medal, said it was an honour just to swim with Sun.

"He has proven over the past couple of years that he is the elite distance swimmer in the world," said the American.

"I'm excited. I just wanted to come here and have the best swim that I could and I did that."

Canada's Cochrane, who finished fourth in Sunday's 400m freestyle final, said he was happy to be back on the podium having won world silver behind Sun in 2011.

"Fourth place is a frustrating place to be and to know I can claw my way back onto the podium is great and now I look forward to the 1,500m," said the 24-year-old.

"I think we always have expectations coming to a world championship and I expected three medals so it took the wind out of me after the 400m on the first day, but as an athlete, you have to be prepared for anything."

Sun is the second man, after Australian Grant Hackett, to win world titles at 400, 800, a non-Olympic distance, and 1,500m.

While his triumphs have come at two different championships - Sun won the 800 and 1,500 in Shanghai two years ago and was second in the 400 - he remains on course to match Hackett's three golds from the 2005 edition in Montreal.

The 1,500m freestyle final is on the final day of the championships on Sunday.

(China Daily 08/02/2013 page22)