HANGZHOU, Sept. 29 (Xinhua) -- Despite sweeping all three breaststroke titles and setting a world record at the World Aquatics Championships, Qin Haiyang has been shunning his nickname "Breaststroke King".
"I am not a 'Breaststroke King', just call me a breaststroke swimmer," Qin remarked after winning the men's 50m breaststroke title in dominant fashion at the Hangzhou Asian Games.
With earlier victories in 100m and 200m breaststroke finals, the 24-year-old Qin has also completed a breast treble in Hangzhou, matching his exploits back in July's world championships in Fukuoka, Japan.
"This was what I expected to do. It doesn't feel like there is much I can say about my performance," said Qin, who always keeps a low profile outside the pool.
"Before the Asian Games, I didn't think about how many golds I will get, I just wanted to do what I can in every event. It was more about letting nature take its course," he added.
Qin jumped to fame this summer when he became the first man in history to sweep all three breaststroke titles in the Fukuoka worlds. He also shattered Australian Zac Stubblety-Cook's world mark in the 200m breast with a blistering 2:05.48.
The Chinese sensation said he has tried something new in training and competition, adding that hopefully it will help him go for another world record.
"I am going for the world record, and if I couldn't achieve that under normal preparation, then this was a chance for me to try something different. I can accept the outcome and I'm still quite happy about it," said Qin.
In contrast to his aggressiveness in the pool, Qin is always gentle and prudent when taking interviews.
When described as being mature for his age, Qin said, "I don't think it's a good thing. You tend to be unhappy more often."
Qin's 50m breast victory on Friday also marked China's 100th gold medal at the Hangzhou Asian Games.
"I can only say that I'm lucky. If I got the 100th gold medal, it was only because Zhang Yufei won the 99th before me," he quipped.
Born in central China's Hunan Province, Qin moved to Shanghai with his parents when he was nine years old, and he got coaches there, which laid a solid foundation for his future success.
Qin made his Olympic debut in Tokyo in 2021, tying for the best time in his 200m breast heat while being disqualified.
With only 10 months to go to the Paris Olympics, Qin has already set his sights on Olympic medals.
"I treated the Asian Games as a trial, as a place for me to prepare for Paris 2024."
"If you have a target in your heart, if you know it is what you want to achieve, then you won't feel that this process is painful. I still rather enjoy it. I don't think too much about what happens in the future and I just focus on doing what's ahead of me well." ■
