Pan Zhanle, a Wenzhou-born swimmer, breaks a new Asian record of 45.77 seconds at the World Championships in Melbourne, Australia on Dec 15. [Photo/66wz.com]
Eighteen-year-old Wenzhou swimmer Pan Zhanle ranked sixth in the men's 100m freestyle with a new Asian record of 45.77 seconds at the World Championships in Melbourne, Australia on Dec 15.
The Asian record was previously 46.14 seconds.
Pan ignited people's hopes on China's men's swimming by his performance at the World Championships in Budapest in June. Back then, he swam 47.79 seconds in the 100m freestyle final, placing fourth. In the semifinals, he swam 47.65 seconds, equaling the national record. It was the first time for Pan to compete in the Long Course World Championships.
It was not easy for Pan to win a place at international short course freestyle competitions, which were usually dominated by European and North American athletes.
Though having broken the Asian record, Pan was modest about his success.
"I still have a big gap with the world's top players, and I need to keep trying and practicing to catch up with them," Pan said.
