World Championships: The Mystery of Pan Zhanle – Which Version Will Step Onto the Blocks?
Prior to the start of the World Championships, a handful of questions surrounded the competition. Who would win the battle in the 800-meter freestyle between Katie Ledecky and Summer McIntosh? Could Leon Marchand break the longstanding world record in the 200 individual medley? How would the Russian athletes perform after being away from the international stage for a few years?
During action in Singapore, another question has arisen: Which version of Pan Zhanle will appear?
It has been a rollercoaster week for Pan, the Chinese star who blazed to a world record and gold medal in the 100 freestyle at last summer’s Olympic Games in Paris. In relay duty, Pan has been strong. On an individual basis, the 20-year-old has struggled. Why has Pan been so inconsistent? Well, that answer remains a mystery – and the freestyle ace is trying to figure out the conundrum himself.
In the 100 freestyle and 200 freestyle, Pan failed to advance beyond the semifinals. He was the 10th-place finisher in the 100 freestyle, where he clocked 47.81, more than a second slower than his world record of 46.40. In the 200 freestyle, he didn’t even reach the semifinals, as he bowed out of the event following a prelims performance of 1:47.46. That effort was good for only 22nd place and was almost three seconds off his career best.
On Chinese relays, however, Pan has been a reliable presence. As China placed fifth in the 400 freestyle relay on the opening night of the meet, Pan turned in a split of 46.63, which was the second-fastest in the field and considerably faster than what he would go in the 100 freestyle. Only Australian Kyle Chalmers (46.53) was quicker. In the 800 freestyle relay, Pan split 1:44.41 on the second leg to help China to the silver medal and an Asian record. That was three seconds faster than his individual swim and the fifth-fastest of the event.
Pan doesn’t have any individual events remaining in Singapore, but he is expected to contribute to China’s mixed 400 freestyle relay and men’s 400 medley relay. Give that his relay outings have been the highlight of his meet, it wouldn’t be surprising to see him carry China to additional podium appearances.
If nothing else, Pan can be applauded for rising to the occasion for his country. Still, there is confusion as to why that relay success has been absent from his individual forays.
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