Zhang Yufei: 'I want to swim' is the driving force behind persistence

(ECNS) -- Chinese swimmer Zhang Yufei said her passion for swimming remains the driving force behind her persistence after helping China win the women's 4x100m freestyle relay at the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games on Sunday.

The defending champions — Zhang Yufei, Wu Qingfeng, Cheng Yujie and Yu Yiting — clocked 3:33.10 to capture gold and break the Games record, reaffirming China's dominance in the pool.

The defending champions — Wu Qingfeng, Cheng Yujie, Zhang Yufei and Yu Yiting (from left to right) — capture gold in the women's 4x100m freestyle relay at the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games on Sept. 20, 2026. (Photo/China News Service)

Speaking after the race, Zhang said she was delighted with the victory and surprised the team had shattered the record. She described her own leg of the relay as "a peak-level performance."

Competing at her fourth Asian Games, Zhang said she no longer felt as nervous as she did at her first.

"Now, I just want to swim. It feels like nothing can stop me. There are only three words in my mind: 'I want to swim,'" she said.

(By Gong Weiwei)