'Through hardship to the stars'

This serenity highlights a profound transformation for the 2020 Olympic champion.

Looking back on his journey from a hotblooded rookie to seasoned anchor of the team, Wang admits his mentality has drastically shifted.

"In terms of my mindset, I went from being quite naive about these competitions, hungry for gold medals and valuing winning above all else, to now, where I might not view winning as absolutely the only thing," Wang explained. "However, the determination to win, I believe, is still very much alive."

At 32, Wang acknowledges the physical realities of a prolonged swimming career: recovery takes longer, and his fundamental physical capabilities have largely been maximized through years of grueling practice. To discover any remaining margins of improvement, he has leaned heavily into sports science and data analysis.