Zhang and Qin, the Hangzhou 2023 MVPs who are already excited about Paris

The nineteenth edition of the Asian Games is now part of the archive material folder. With a closing ceremony nourished by a technological deployment that never ceases to surprise, attractions in different parts of the city and the presence of the Chinese Prime Minister, Li Qiang, the firecracker of Hangzhou 2023 went out, a multi-sports party that secured its 74 seats in Paris and gave away 97 records, 13 of them world records and 26 Asian records.

As usual, China seized the medal table by winning 201 gold medals, accompanied by Japan with 52 and the Republic of Korea with 42. The strongest impact was caused by India with its 28 gold and 107 totals, an unprecedented record. Electronic sports awarded medals for the first time and artistic swimming had a male presence, like never before at the event. It was also unprecedented that two athletes were awarded as the best at the Games.

In the search for parity and to provide equal recognition for men and women, Hangzhou followed the Paris 2024 line (there will be an equal number of athletes of both sexes) and a woman and a man were chosen as MVP, based on performance, sportsmanship and social influence. Locals Zhang Yufei and Qin Haiyang received the highest distinction and put their sport back at the center of the scene: for the third consecutive edition, a swimmer won the prize.

The six titles won in the butterfly, freestyle and relay events positioned Zhang as the most winning athlete in the competition. The self-demand of the 25-year-old multi-champion was highlighted when her performance was rated “95 out of 100″. Why not 100 out of 100? “I hope to do better in Paris next year,” she said.

The bar, of course, is raised with every competition. From Tokyo, just over two years ago, she had won four medals. From Fukuoka, less than three months ago, five. Now, to the ovation of her people, she hung half a dozen medals, all of them gold. Facing Paris, she recognized that she will focus especially on the 200m butterfly, a specialty she already won in Tokyo.

Qin, for his part, also won six medals, although five were gold and one silver. The four-time world champion repeated the triplet in the 50, 100 and 200m (he is the owner of the world record) achieved in Fukuoka. After the feat, he put the magnifying glass on the next Olympic Games, as did his compatriot: “I will take the MVP as a motivation to achieve the best results in Paris,” he said. His mission is in sight: to win his first Olympic medal in the French capital.

The 35 swimming tests in Paris 2024 will take place between July 27 and August 4 at the Défense Arena. The next Asian Games, meanwhile, will resume their usual cycle after the COVID-19 pandemic and will be held in Aichi-Nagoya (Japan), between September and October 2026.