Asian Games 2023: Zhang Yufei bows out of Hangzhou by tying Ikee Rikako's record of 6 swimming gold medals
On the final day in the pool, Zhang wins the women's 50m butterfly in a Games record of 25.10, after the Chinese were disqualified in the 4x100m medley relay heats.
Swimming
Zhang Yufei won her sixth and final gold medal of the Asian Games 2023 in the women's 50m butterfly in a meet record of 25.10 on Friday (29 September), matching Ikee Rikako’s record from five years ago.
On the final day of the swimming competition, Zhang was bidding for an unprecedented seven titles at these Games but her People's Republic of China team were disqualified in the heats of the women's 4x100m medley relay.
Ikee, who was named MVP of the 2018 Games in Jakarta after sweeping six titles, took bronze (26.02) on this night for her first individual medal in Hangzhou.
The silver went to Zhang’s team-mate Yu Yiting (25.71).
For Zhang, the ending was somewhat anti-climactic given how China probably would have comfortably won the relay had they reached the final.
Zhang said after the race that she had been ill, although she did not specify.
“What a special experience,” Zhang said. “It feels quite normal once you hit the water but it was all adrenaline.
“But outside of it, there were moments when I felt weak and couldn’t really stand. I felt OK mentally, but from last night to this morning, I practically lost my voice.
“This was within my expectations. But I am quite happy about the results. From the National Games to the Asian Games, even my coach said he has never seen me this disciplined before.”
The respect between Zhang and Ikee have been mutual throughout the competition, and the former MVP heaped praise on the heavy favourite for this year’s award - all the while vowing to be better on the road to the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.
“She has the look of a fighter in the races,” Ikee said. “I think she’ll only get better from hereon and it motivates me, seeing another swimmer in Asia perform the way she has. I hope I can keep up.”
Zhang said of Ikee, who wept together while posing for photographers, “I told her don’t cry, don’t cry. When they announced her name on the podium, I already felt like crying.
“But I thought to myself, this is a live telecast, I cannot cry. Then I saw her hugging her coach in tears. In that moment, I could not hold back my tears any more.”
China win 28 of 41 golds
Hosts China bossed the pool by winning 28 of the 41 gold medals on offer as the swimming competition drew to a close at the Games.
Zhang led all medalists with her six golds followed by Qin Haiyang, Li Bingjie and Xu Jiayu with five each. China amassed a total of 58 swimming medals.
The Republic of Korea were second with six gold, six silver and 10 bronze. Japan, who won the final race of the entire meet in China's absence, finished third with five gold, 10 silver and 15 bronze.