Sun reunites with coach, grabs win
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E-mail Shanghai Daily, April 3, 2013
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Sun Yang celebrates after winning the 400 meters freestyle final at the National Swimming Championships in Zhengzhou, Henan Province, on Monday. |
China's double Olympic gold medalist Sun Yang has mended fences with his coach and laid down a marker ahead of this year's world championships by winning the 400 meters freestyle at the National Swimming Championships, local media reported.
Sun's relationship with coach Zhu Zhigen had reportedly soured amid concerns the 21-year-old's private life was affecting his training.
He was also suspended from all commercial activities in February for breaching a "series of team rules" and had one month's training allowance withheld.
Sun finished nearly four seconds ahead of his nearest rival at the meet in Zhengzhou, north China's Henan Province, on Monday and will look to improve steadily ahead of the July 19-August 4 worlds in Barcelona.
"I am just 70 to 80 percent of my best level," Sun was quoted as saying by Xinhua news agency.
"My coach knows me better and I hope I can do better at the world championships," said the Olympic 400 and 1,500 freestyle champ, who returned to normal training last month.
Sun shot to fame at the London Games where he became the first Chinese man to win an Olympic swimming gold medal.
"As you know I just resumed training for a few days, so I think the result is OK," added Sun, who also holds the 1,500 freestyle world record.
"I am still dealing with my shoulder injuries. I swam about 20,000 meters a day, so my shoulders are always in bad condition."
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