China needs a star, and Sun is willing to oblige

Yao Ming called it quits.

Liu Xiang is still fighting his way back after a devastating injury.

China needs a hero.

A nation whose Olympic success mostly comes in less-popular sports like badminton and table tennis is in desperate search of a new sports star.

Twenty-year-old swimmer Sun Yang came along just in time.

Sun, from Hangzhou, Zhejiang province, shot to fame at the 2011 World Championships in Shanghai, where he claimed the gold medal in the 1,500m with a world-record time that broke Grant Hackett's 10-year-old mark.

He is the runaway favorite in the event in London, and will be competitive in other freestyle events.

"I think my chances of winning the 400m are great if I can swim normally," he said, before traveling to London. "As in the 1,500m, the gold medal belongs to me."

Sun's outspoken nature is unusual compared to other Chinese athletes, who generally prefer to maintain a low profile. It reared its head last August, when he criticized the Chinese Swimming Association for making him attend a commercial event without letting him know beforehand.

That characteristic, along with his trendy lifestyle and handsome appearance, makes Sun an icon among China's post-1990 generation, and, of course, a marketing darling.

"I think I have a very good personality. I'm sunny and outgoing," he said.

Sun posts photos and communicates with his 8.06 million followers on his micro blog.

In one of the latest post, he called on fans to cheer for him in London.

"The road of life is made step after step," he said. "It's not destiny that decides your life. It's every choice and every effort you make that decide your life. Cheer up with me, my friends."

Sun came from a sports school in his hometown that also produced Luo Xuejuan, the women's 100m breaststroke champion at the 2004 Athens Games.

Luo described herself as a "beast" whenever she steps on the starting block. Similarly, Sun describes himself as a "warrior".

"I feel like a brave warrior with shield in hand. I am about to go all out," Sun said in a speech in front of the national swimming team before leaving for London.

"I am ready, London. Here we come. The Chinese men are coming."

Sun's aggressiveness may be a headache to normally protective officials, who prefer to shield their athletes from the public spotlight before major competitions. But he is widely adored by the younger generation.

"Brother Yang, I witnessed the number of your fans rise from 700,000 to more than 8 million. I'm so proud of you," one of his fans wrote on the micro blog. "I love you so much and I believe more fans will join you after the London Games."

The 20-year-old is already a national darling in China. Commercials featuring him have been telecast frequently leading up the Games, while a huge poster of him was hung at the entrance of Sanlitun, a popular shopping area in downtown Beijing.

In London, he has been chased by the international media, making him one of the most-watched Chinese athletes in town.

Sun shrugged off the pressure, hoping he can live out his Olympic dream, much as hurdler Liu Xiang did in 2004.

"I watched Liu making history in 2004 on TV," he said. "I wished I could do the same thing one day. I will give my utmost effort."

chenxiangfeng@chinadaily.com.cn

(China Daily 07/26/2012 page10)