张琳破世界纪录夺冠 中国男泳首获世锦赛金牌

 
张琳破世界纪录夺冠 中国男泳首获世锦赛金牌

Start with the FINA World Championships where China's Zhang Lin produced an amazing moment in Rome. He knocked more than six seconds off the previous world record to win the men's 800 freestyle final. Zhang Lin made history by becoming the first male champion swimmer in a major tournament for China.

Gold medallist Zhang Lin (C)of China poses on the podium with silver  medallist Oussama Mellouli (L) of Tunisia and bronze medallist  Ryan Cochrane of Canada after the men's 800m freestyle swimming  final at the World Championships in Rome July 29, 2009.

Zhang became the hot favorite in the final of the 800 meter freestyle when South Korea's Park Tae-Hwuan pulled out of the competition, but he didn't make an impressive start. The Chinese swimmer held fourth place after 100 meters. But Zhang took the lead and managed a 2-hundreths of a second cushion over Tunisia's Oussama Mellouli at the 250 meter split.

The competition between Zhang and Mellouli was a seesaw battle at the halfway mark, but Zhang maintained his slight advantage. In the last 50 meters, Zhang sprinted ahead and never looked back.

The Chinese surged to the front and swam to a breathtaking finish of seven minutes 32.12 seconds, taking more than six seconds off the mark of 7:38.65 set by retired former world champion Grant Hackett of Australia in 2005. The accomplishment left Zhang in tears as he talked about winning China's first male gold medal in a major event.

Zhang Lin said:"I can't speak. I can't describe my feelings in words.I'm so excited.I have no idea how to thank my coach."

Zhang Lin finally realized his dreams in brilliant fashion. He is the first Chinese man to take a medal in the Olympics, along with a title in the World Championships.

Zhang Lin is one of the most talented male long-distance swimmers in China. But the 22-year-old is a man who works very hard to realize his dreams.

Zhang lost to South Korean arch-rival Park Tae-Hwuan in the men's 400 meters at the 2006 Doha Asian Games. And later Zhang experienced a career low after he finishing 6th in the world championships. But he would not quit.

Zhang Lin said:"I told my coach that I'm not finished like this. I want to go abroad to learn. I'd like to know how they improve their performances. I may not learn anything, but I will be satisfied when I see them swimming. I want to be better."

Zhang went to Australia and was lucky to meet Dennis Cotterell, swimming star Grant Hackett's coach.

Zhang made remarkable progress with Cotterell, improving in both speed and stamina. The hard work paid-off in last summer's Beijing Olympics, where Zhang made history with a silver medal performance in the men's 400 meter freeestyle. With his first world championship gold now under his belt, Zhang's eyes are focused on the 2012 London Olympics.