Chinese swimmers gain momentum in National Championships ahead of the Hangzhou Asian Games as they break 12 records in three days. [Photo/Global Times]

As the 2023 National Spring Swimming Championships recently concluded in Qingdao, the Chinese Swimming Federation announced that the second round of the Asian Games swimming trials will be held in Hangzhou in May.

The spring trails have breathed new life into the previously stagnant Chinese swimming scene.

In the men's 50-meter breaststroke preliminaries, Shanghai team member Qin Haiyang broke the Asian record with a time of 26.63 seconds and won the championship.

"Based on recent training feedback, I had the potential to break the Asian record, so it was a natural outcome," Qin said.

As 36-year-old Wu Peng stood at the edge of the pool once again, he was a bit nervous. It had been 10 years since he last participated in a national competition.

"The results weren't as good as expected, but it can be considered a task accomplished because I achieved the minimum standard," Wu said.

Ye Shiwen, a veteran swimmer born in Hangzhou, competes at the national trials in Qingdao. [Photo/VCG]

In the men's 50-meter freestyle preliminaries, he achieved the minimum standard to participate in the National Championships with a time of 23.81 seconds and placed fifth in the 50-meter butterfly.

In the men's 100-meter freestyle, 17-year-old Henan athlete Wang Haoyu won with a time of 47.89 seconds, missing the national record of 47.65 seconds held by Ning Zetao and Pan Zhanle by a hair's breadth.

"Wang has shown swimming talent since he was young, with explosive power and talent in short-distance events. As he has grown older, his performance has improved year by year, and he has benefited from team training after joining the national team," said his coach Xing Chao.

As the new round of qualification trials are approaching, the veterans and rising stars will do their best to compete for a spot on the team.