For the second consecutive week, our Performance of the Week honor is coming from a swim at the Chinese nationals in Huangshan. This time, it comes from superstar Sun Yang, who used the meet to show that any issues he might have had regarding his heart at the world championships appear to be behind him.
After a leisurely 15:12.89 in the 1500 free on the first day of the meet, Sun put everything into the 400 free and emerged with a 3:42.70. That was just 12 hundredths of a second slower than the time he swam at worlds to win the gold medal. With that swim, Sun now has the two fastest performances in the event in 2015 and goes into the Olympic year as the heavy favorite. James Guy and 2008 Olympic champion Tae Hwan Park might have something to say about that in Rio de Janeiro, however.
The 400 free swim capped off a strong meet for Sun. He also swam well in the 200 free, posting a time that was a shade off his silver medal-winning swim from worlds. But it’s the 400 free swim that we’re saluting here, giving him a lot of momentum as he prepares to defend his Olympic crown.
Congratulations, Sun Yang, on winning the Swimming World Performance of the Week!