Sun Yang wins first match after reuniting with coach

ZHENGZHOU, China - China's star swimmer Sun Yang won his first match on Monday at the National Swimming Championships after he put aside the disagreement with his coach and returned to practice pool.

Gold medalist Sun Yang of Zhejiang, center, silver medalist Hao Yun from Hebei, left, and bronze winner Li Yunqi of Henan pose for a photo after the men's 400m freestyle final at the National Swimming Championships in Zhengzhou, Henan province, April 1, 2013. [Photo/Xinhua]

After finding a new girlfriend since returning from the London Olympics, the balance couldn't be reached between Sun's personal life and swimming career. The relationship between the multiple Olympic medallist and his coach Zhu Zhigen had been in a tension earlier this year as Zhu thought Sun's love life had affected his training. However, Sun returned to his normal training life in March and it seemed he has smoothed the rift between him and Zhu.

The Olympic 400m and 1,500m freestyle champion showed his dominance in the men's 400m free final as he touched the wall first in three minutes 3:42.93 seconds, nearly four seconds ahead of his nearest rival, Hao Yun from Hebei, who finished second in 3:46.91. Li Yunqi of Henan was the third in 3:47.15.

"I am just 70 to 80 percent of my best level," said Sun. "My coach knows me better and I hope I can do better in the World Championships."

"As you know I just resumed training for a few days, so I think the result is OK," added Sun. "I am still dealing with my shoulder injuries. I swam about 20,000m a day, so my shoulders are always in bad condition."

Shao Yiwen from Zhejiang wins the women's 400m freestyle at the National Swimming Championships in Zhengzhou, Henan province, April 1, 2013. [Photo/Xinhua]

The women's 400m free gold was claimed by Shao Yiwen from Zhejiang in 4:06.16, while Ningxia girl Xu Danlu was second in 4:09.43. Shen Junjie from Zhejiang finished third in 4:09.66.

In the men's 4x100m free relay, team Beijing won the gold in 3:17.92, while the women's relay title was claimed by team Liaoning in 3:39.70.

Olympic champion Ye Shiwen topped the women's 200m medley semifinal, while Olympic medallist Lu Ying finished first in the women's 100m butterfly semifinal. Olympic champions Jiao Liuyang and Liu Zige placed the second and third respectively.