Zhang Zhanshuo clinched his seventh gold on Sunday, slicing the 400m freestyle to a Games‑record finish that matched the all‑time individual gold tally at a single Asian Games.
Earlier in the event schedule, his 200m freestyle victory delivered a fresh Asian record, while both the 400m and 800m titles came in Games‑record times, cementing the 19‑year‑old’s dominance.
The real drama unfolded in the men’s 4×200m freestyle relay, where Zhang, the anchor, clocked a 1:42.92 split to overtake Japan and help China finish 7:00.17, a new Asian record.
From a seaside kid in Qingdao who learned to swim at six, to a national champion at sixteen, Zhang’s rapid rise is a testament to a sporting family’s legacy and relentless training.
Despite his haul, the swimmer modestly rated his performance 85/100, admitting room for technical tweaks, and hinting that he still has more golds to chase in upcoming World Championships.