Sun still shining, despite sporadic setbacks

Sun Yang had been labeled China's "bad boy" of swimming for a number of out-of-pool scandals, but the young star says he has learned a lot from the ups and downs and is ready to embark on a new phase of his career.

Sun, who shot to fame after winning gold medals in the 400m and 1,500m freestyle events at the 2012 London Olympics, has been involved in a series of scandals over the past year or so.

In early 2013, he was suspended from engaging in commercial activities after quarreling with long-time coach Zhu Zhigen, who disapproved of his romance with an air stewardess and criticized his breaking of team rules.

In November, Sun was ordered to spend a week in detention for driving without a license after being involved in a car accident in Hangzhou, Zhejiang province.

China's swimming authorities slapped a blanket suspension on him, banning him from all training and competitions before allowing him to make his return at this year's Chinese National Championships, which doubled as trials for the Asian Games.

Sun repaid the faith shown in him by winning his signature event, the 400m freestyle, over archrival Park Tae-hwan of South Korea and Japanese 200m champion Kosuke Hagino at the Incheon Asian Games on Sept 23.

"I've been working really hard to come back from the lowest point in my career over the past half year," says the 22-year-old Zhejiang native.

"A lot of things happened in the last 12 months and I think I've learned my lessons and regrouped."

Sun's new coach, Zhang Yadong, the former mentor of female Olympic champion Luo Xuejuan, has witnessed first hand the swimmer's recovery from the setbacks.

"Every young athlete has to grow from setbacks, especially someone with a strong personality like Sun," Zhang tells China Daily.

"Though his skills and conditioning are yet to recover 100 percent, I think he's matured. There is no perfect athlete on or off the court. I hope the public can forgive his faults and encourage him to be better."

The governing body's ban on Sun's commercial activities seems to have been lifted as a commercial for a renowned Chinese insurance company was released online during the Asian Games.

More than 2.1 million fans have viewed the commercial since its premiere on Sina Weibo, China's popular social media platform earlier this month, whch suggests Sun's market appeal remains high.

Wang Lusheng, director of the national swimming administrative center, urged the media and public to get behind Sun.

"Sun has shown evidence that he has really grown up. We will also do our job to better educate and manage our athletes, not only train them to be excellent in sports but also guide them to be all-around talents," says Wang.

(China Daily Africa Weekly 09/26/2014 page29)