Tokyo aquatics centre
With seven gold medals on debut: Zhang Zhanshuo makes history at Asian Games 2026. Photo credit: Xinhua Image Source: IANS
Asian Games: With Seven Gold Medals On Debut: Zhang Zhanshuo Makes History
The Tokyo Aquatics Centre: Moments after touching the wall in the men's 400m freestyle final on Friday, Zhang Zhanshuo surfaced, raised both hands and slowly counted from one to seven.
The 19-year-old Chinese swimmer had just completed his first Asian Games with seven gold medals. The Tokyo Aquatics Centre was filled with cheers. Zhang, however, appeared remarkably calm.
"I feel much calmer than I had imagined," Zhang said after winning the 400m freestyle in an Asian Games record of 3 minutes 41.28 seconds. "Of course, I'm very happy to win these seven gold medals, and I will turn them into greater motivation going forward."
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