Chinese swimmer Pan Zhanle wins fourth gold at national meet – despite suffering from cough
Pan Zhanle claimed his fourth gold medal of the Chinese National Championships on Wednesday, coming first in the men's 100 metres final – despite suffering from a cough that he said made it hard to talk.
Advertisement
The double Olympic champion, who holds the world record in the event, touched the wall in Shenzhen in 47.77 seconds to top the podium, followed by Wang Haoyu in 48.36, while Liu Wudi claimed third in 48.42.
After the race, Pan was asked if a recent bout of illness had affected his race.
'I think the main issue is with my stamina,' said Pan, who, before the event started last week, had not competed since November. 'I'll keep working hard.'
Pan then cut his post-race media duties short, saying: 'Are we finished? I really can't talk.'
Advertisement
With local media reporting a rise in Covid-19 cases in Shenzhen, several Chinese athletes have said they have had a fever in the build-up to their races.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
South China Morning Post
2 hours ago
- South China Morning Post
SCMP Best Bets: Say Bienvenue to another Happy Valley win
Sam Agars COLOURFUL KING - R9 (11) Has been going beautifully and should relish the step up in trip Jay Rooney SKY TRUST - R8 (2) Big run last start and has drawn to get a much better run here Trackwork Spy BIENVENUE - R5 (2) Impressive last-start winner looks well placed to strike again Phillip Woo LEAN HERO - R2 (1) Has a solid record at this level and looks primed to strike from gate one Shannon (Vincent Wong) SUPER HONG KONG - R1 (6) Is back to his favourite trip and looks a big chance tonight Racing Post Online STORM RIDER - R6 (5) Ran a nice second to Crimson Flash last start and looks hard to beat Tom Wood CASA ROCHESTER - R7 (7) Found trouble in the straight last start and looks like he can go close here
South China Morning Post
5 hours ago
- South China Morning Post
Top seed Aryna Sabalenka beats China's Zheng Qinwen to reach French Open semi-finals
World No 1 Aryna Sabalenka beat Olympic champion Zheng Qinwen in straight sets to reach the French Open semi-finals on Tuesday. The top seed from Belarus won through 7-6, 6-3 against the Chinese eighth seed. She next plays either three-time defending champion Iga Swiatek of Poland or Ukraine's Elina Svitolina for a place in the final. Advertisement
South China Morning Post
6 hours ago
- South China Morning Post
Scratching gives Son Pak Fu chance to chase eighth Valley 1,200m success in loaded Class Two
Happy Valley will see Class Two action for the first time in three weeks on Wednesday night and a course-and-distance specialist entered the fray on Tuesday to make the Wan Chai Gap Handicap (1,200m) all the more interesting. With last-start Valley 1,000m winner Glory Elite scratched because of a tendon injury, Son Pak Fu was brought off the bench and given the chance to add to his seven career victories – all over 1,200m at the city circuit. Son Pak Fu's latest success came in a Class One over the Valley 1,200m in February, while he was fifth in the most recent six-furlong Class Two at the city circuit on March 19. The Tony Cruz-trained six-year-old carried 135 pounds in that fifth-placed finish and will again lump a big weight of 134 pounds, although the gelding should be given every chance to run on under Matthew Chadwick in a race that shapes to have plenty of pace. Last-start course-and-distance winner Harmony N Blessed will be one of the gallopers on pace as he looks to add to his fighting recent success, while Tomodachi Kokoroe – whose four Hong Kong wins have come over the Valley 1,200m – looks another with the potential to push forward. Son Pak Fu dives late to claim Copartner Prance! Tony Cruz's charge gets the Class 1 win under a supreme @mattLchadwixk ride at Happy Valley... 💥#HappyWednesday | #HKracing — HKJC Racing (@HKJC_Racing) February 26, 2025 But in a race littered with gallopers who come into their own over the city circuit's six furlongs – Aurora Lady, Gustosisimo, Wonder Kit, Kaholo Angel and Brave Star are also multiple winners at the track and trip – it is a couple of young gallopers stepping into unfamiliar territory who could prove hardest to beat. Trainer David Eustace is confident Colourful King will enjoy the step up in trip after impressing over the Valley 1,000m with two wins and a second, while Horsepower is rising in distance and grade after an eye-catching last-start success. 'This time we need to try 1,200m (because) at the moment there are no more 1,000m races at Happy Valley,' trainer Frankie Lor Fu-chuen said of Horsepower. HK Racing News Get updates direct to your inbox Sign up Best Bets Racing News By registering you agree to our T&Cs & Privacy Policy Error: Please enter a valid email. The email address is already in use. Please login to subscribe. Error, please try again later. THANK YOU You are one the list. 'I've trialled him once over 1,200m [and] he trialled good. I think he needs to relax in the early stages and then he can finish strongly. '[Zac Purton] said he was more relaxed now in the 1,200m trial. That's why I think he will handle 1,200m now.' In other news, the Jockey Club has granted Brenton Avdulla a 'leave of absence from Hong Kong for personal reasons,' meaning the Australian rider will miss the Valley meeting on June 11.
