They promised to win the swimming championship, but what's with this "Grand Slam" thi

Chapter 60: Another record broken!
2003年7月27日，巴塞罗那时间傍晚17点30分。

The highly anticipated men's 50m freestyle semifinals are about to begin.

Wu Jin stood in the contestant tunnel, ready to go on stage.

All around him were double-door refrigerators that were half a head or even a head taller than him.

In terms of sheer presence, he appeared to be at a disadvantage.

There was no way around it; at 12 years old, he simply looked very small and thin compared to adult swimmers.

Even though Wu Jin is tall and strong enough to be considered "tall and strong" among her peers!
Add to that the physiques and muscles of these white and black men, and it's absolutely explosive.

Standing next to Wu Jin are like two very wide doors, the most imposing of which is undoubtedly the current world's number one swimming champion, Ian Thorpe, who is nearly 2 meters tall.

When he waved his hands, it looked like two whips.

This guy has won 14 gold medals in 3 World Championships, 4 gold and 2 silver medals in a single Olympic Games, plus three world records. This time, Barcelo won 3 gold medals, second only to Phelps.

Just by standing there, he exudes an aura of power.

Then, standing next to him was Alexander Popov.

The two had just chatted for a bit. After all, they had both participated in the 100-meter freestyle in Sydney, and Popov was considered a senior to everyone present. He was 32 years old, but his career was absolutely legendary.

With 4 gold and 5 silver medals at the Olympics, he has more silver medals than Thorpe. Most importantly, he was able to return to the top and reach the top of the world after his lung was punctured by a thug a few years ago. This is something that ordinary people cannot compare to.

Wu Jin remembers this World Championships very clearly; it was Popov's last dance.

The highlight of his career was at this World Championships, where he won the double title in the 50m and 100m at the oldest age of the competition.

He's in absolutely amazing form.

After that, they stopped making any moves and didn't participate in the Athens Olympics the following year.

This situation is actually very abnormal, but Wu Jin has no solid evidence and can only conclude that he, like Thorpe, suddenly lost his condition and became a nobody.

Thorpe's career will begin to decline at the age of 23 after the Athens eruption next year.

He was only 21 years old, which is actually the peak of a swimmer's career. His sudden fall caught swimming enthusiasts around the world off guard, not to mention the athletes who competed against him.

Ding Dong!

The announcement for entering the venue in English sounded. Because Wu Jin ranked ninth in the preliminary round, she was scheduled to be the sixth player in the first group of the semi-finals.

The lanes weren't great, but they weren't like the outermost lanes from this morning either.

The seventh time!

The athlete on the far right of lane eight is none other than Anthony Irwin, the only black athlete in the entire group stage and the gold medalist in this event at the previous Sydney Games.

However, this guy's performance in this World Championship was mediocre; he barely made it to the semifinals.

And the sixth one... Wu Jin was quite excited.

It was Thorpe!

His two side lanes on the left and right are quite interesting.

Thorpe doesn't have much of an advantage in the 50m freestyle; his strengths lie in the 100m, 200m, and 400m, so advancing to the semifinals was a bumpy road.

Unlike the guys in the three middle lanes, who are all strong contenders for gold.

Popov, Hall, and Mark Foster!
The three of them took off their jackets while holding their swimming goggles and swung and patted their arms; but the cheers from the crowd belonged to Thorpe next to Wu Jin.

Sydney is truly amazing, breaking three world records in 48 hours, while Phelps broke two in 12 hours at this World Championships.

The audience for the World Championships still can't compare to that of the Olympics.

Mark Schubert, the legendary head coach of the U.S. swimming team, sat in the spectator area with his chin resting on his hand, his eyes fixed on Wu Jin, who was bouncing around next to Thorpe; next to him sat a bespectacled guy who was also observing.

David Saroo is a technical advisor for the U.S. swimming team, responsible for race analysis and opponent strategy.

He is a swimming expert with a wealth of theoretical knowledge. The "Swimming-Specific Physical Training" manual, which is currently a must-have for swimming team coaches all over the world, was written by this guy.

The domestic version is translated by Yan Qi, Zhang Lin's future strength and conditioning coach. Zhang Lin has benefited greatly from this coach, which has improved his entire professional career.

"Judging from his physique alone, there's no indication of any absolute talent..."

David Saroo squinted, having already observed Wu Jin from head to toe since he first appeared.

"And judging from the slow-motion replay of the group stage videos, he has a very strong acceleration and explosive power. From entering the water to leaping out, he can bring his speed to the top level of an adult!"

Salo had, of course, studied Wu Jin's video repeatedly.

The US team will absolutely not let go of a prodigy who breaks the world youth record.

"So that means there's a high proportion of fast-twitch muscle fibers?"

Mark Schubert was asking that.

"That's only one aspect. Any athlete who can explode in short distances has far more fast-twitch muscle fibers than the average person!"

"But for a boy to reach this level at the age of 12 is far beyond what can be explained by the talent of fast-twitch muscle fibers. His anaerobic metabolism is also very fast, and coupled with his being a minor, his recovery ability is far beyond that of ordinary people!"

"Could it be due to other factors?"

Saroo understood the specific meaning behind Mark's whispered words.

"The organizing committee is very strict with the competition in China this time, and 12-year-old children are not as effective as adults!"

"I'll tentatively call him a genius, just like Michael, only he's younger!"

"Don't forget, they have a population of nearly 13 billion, so it's normal for a superstar to emerge from there!"

At least, Salo would never consider doping.

Because this thing isn't as powerful as ordinary people imagine.

If they were truly that good, there wouldn't be so few Olympic champions; at most, it would just be icing on the cake. Those with talent would become even stronger, but if you're not as good as others, playing would only improve your skills.

In the face of absolute talent, all external factors are merely supplementary.

To give an example, even if Phelps didn't play against him, he would still be a world-class player. But if he did play against him, it would be a game-changer, breaking one world record after another.

This kind of thing is specially provided for top-level athletes.

"Alla Mark, I know what you're thinking!"

"The other child is only 12 years old, while Michael has already passed puberty!"

David Salo patted Schubert on the shoulder, and Schubert smiled: "Of course, I don't take this kid seriously. I'm just curious that a boy of this age can swim such a good time!"

"Hmm, but perhaps... he can only go so far as to reach the semi-finals, and that possibility is very high!"

drop!
Just as David Saroo finished speaking, a loud announcement to start the race came from the loudspeakers above the open pool.

The starting pistol and the warning sound do not come from the same source.

Because it is outdoors.

Therefore, the sound of the starting pistol was specially set up separately.

"here we go!"

The previously noisy audience seats suddenly became quiet.

Whether it was the American swimming team or the Chinese swimming team's spectator area, everyone's eyes were on the same thing: the many figures walking onto the starting platform.

Thorpe obviously received the most attention, even though this wasn't his forte, his fame speaks for itself.

As for the Chinese swimming team's backcourt, Xu Guoyi also stood under the television. He did not choose to watch the competition live with the other team members and coaches because he had to take Wu Jin for a test after her competition.

Xu Guoyi stared intently at the disciple in lane seven, his hands clenched tightly in front of his chest.

Even though he didn't have high hopes for the semi-finals, he still held onto a sliver of hope that he trusted his disciple... If, if Wu Jin could swim to the same level as in the group stage, there would still be some hope for the finals.

What if?
Xu Guoyi watched nervously, praying that Wu Jin could perform as well as she did in the group stage.

A time of 22.30-40 seconds, if you're lucky, can get you into the finals.

beep--

Just as countless people were paying attention to this event, the first group match of the men's 50m freestyle semifinals officially kicked off the fierce competition.

Thorpe truly deserves to be called a world-class player.

He was the first to enter the water, followed by Popov.

It's easy to imagine that, although the 50-meter dash isn't Thorpe's strongest event, he's still incredibly eager to advance.

Although Wu Jin has been practicing her starts for the past two months, she still entered the water last.

His advantage at the start was not so obvious this time.

Thorpe remained underwater. His gliding phase after entry into the water was exceptionally long; he would only surface after reaching top speed, a signature move of his. Water entry glide!

For mid-to-long-distance runners, the stronger this skill, the better their stamina will be after peeking out from behind the bar, compared to other runners.

In contrast, Wu Jin was in the next lane.

He emerged from the water before reaching 10 meters and began swimming vigorously toward the finish line.

"Mark, did you see that?"

David Salo in the stands couldn't help but exclaim, and head coach Mark Schubert sitting next to him stared wide-eyed.

What kind of talent is this?!

The last one to enter the water was actually the first to probe the surface?
It's important to understand that in swimming competitions, the time from entry to exit the water signifies that the athlete has already reached a certain speed.

So even though Wu Jin was the last to enter the water, he actually caught up with Anthony Irwin in less than 2 seconds by paddling, and seemed to be on par with Thorpe who had not yet come out of the water!
It's important to know that explosive power is something that Black people excel at, so Anthony Irwin's start was very powerful.

Thorpe, that would be even more formidable.

FINA (International Swimming Federation) stipulates that after entering the water, the upper part of the jaw must be completely out of the water within a maximum of 15 meters.

Thorpe glided underwater for about 14 meters before he started to stick his arms and head out of the water and began to swim forward!
The explosive force sent the waves crashing to both sides.

In the past, his gliding strokes and powerful starts would guarantee him an absolute lead upon exiting the water. This was Thorpe's unique skill that made him stand out globally. But now, what did he see when he took a breath?
A figure just the same height as him!
That young Chinese player he didn't even take seriously?
"???"

Fortunately, Thorpe was a legendary swimmer; anyone else would have likely had problems with their stroke and rhythm at that moment.

Because it's just too bizarre!
A world-class athlete, unmatched globally, emerged from the water to find he hadn't swum against a single "nobody"?
This sense of disillusionment is like the shock of Su Bingtian, the world's number one 100-meter sprinter, seeing someone else ahead of him in the race!

"How did you do it?"

Mark Schubert asked David Saroo.

But Saroo was too focused on the pool to answer his colleague.

His gaze was fixed on the slender figure in lane seven. This little guy, who had just been neck and neck with Thorpe, had somehow taken an absolute lead after 20 meters?!

Eight athletes, including six Olympic champions and several world record holders, failed to outswim a 12-year-old at the start.

Has Wu Jin left everyone behind?
God, this world is truly insane!
"Come on!"

"Wu Jin! Wu Jin!!!"

"come on!!"

"Damn, you're the best!"

"Wu Jin—"

The entire Chinese team's stands went absolutely wild.

First place!
Wu Jin was in first place after 20 meters. Who could have imagined this before the competition started?!

"Go, go, go!"

"Hold!"

"Keep it up!!!"

The most excited person was undoubtedly Xu Guoyi, who was standing alone backstage watching the live TV broadcast.

His voice was a little hoarse from shouting.

Upon seeing Wu Jin make the first peek, catch up with Thorpe in less than two seconds, and then take the lead the next second, he completely forgot his role as coach.

In their eyes, there was only that figure who had begun to take the lead.

Even though Xu Guoyi knew that Wu Jin had an advantage in the start, he never thought that this kid could be stronger than so many Olympic champions in the same group!

25 meters, 30 meters...35 meters...

Time was ticking away, and everyone was getting closer and closer to the 50-meter finish line.

Wu Jin remains in first place.

However, Popov, who is in second place, is gradually closing the gap on his advantage.

Others are also closing that gap.

After 35 meters, it was indeed the most dangerous part of Wu Jin's swim, because the speed and explosiveness of the others also increased.

Popov was also somewhat incredulous, and after taking a breath, he saw a significant gap between himself and the others at the same level.

Then, he started accelerating after 30 meters.

Surpass him!
With a burst of energy, Popov sprinted toward the finish line like a rocket.

At this World Championships, he felt he was in better form than ever before, having just won the 100m freestyle title. He was confident he could also win the gold medal in the 50m freestyle.

Fueled by the drive to win, Popov swam faster and faster in the final 10 meters.

After taking a breath, he thought he had finally taken the lead—

"What will happen later!"

The crowd in the stands widened their eyes in surprise.

Everyone could see that Wu Jin was also accelerating rapidly.

Popov swam fast, but Wu Jin swam even faster.

With a 2.4-second intermediate sprint, he activated this skill in 40 meters.

Acceleration, sprinting, and his own physical strength—at this moment, the three forces seemed to merge into one, directly pushing Wu Jin's speed to its maximum; the finish line in his sight was getting closer and closer to him.

Everyone saw Wu Jin suddenly sprint, then, like a barracuda, crash hard into the final finish line.

To the side!

Feeling a solid feedback, Wu Jin gasped for breath and surfaced.

Popov, who was standing nearby, also managed to grab onto the shore.

Wu Jin and he crossed the finish line one after the other, and then the others came.

"..."

Stunned!

Xu Guoyi, watching from the backcourt, was stunned.

The Chinese swimming team members in the audience suddenly fell silent.

On the American team's side, several figures had already stood up, including head coach Mark Schubert.

The next second, screams and roars suddenly rang out from a corner of the stands.

"Ahhhh!"

"First!"

"Wu Jin is number one?"

"Is it him?"

"Yes, lane seven, I can see it very clearly!"

"He was a tiny bit faster than the second-place finisher; they definitely didn't reach the finish line at the same time!"

Generally speaking, in the semifinals of the 50-meter freestyle, the sprints are incredibly fierce, and many finish at almost the same time, so the final timing is needed to determine who came first and who came last.

This time, however, Wu Jin's lead was quite obvious.

He crossed the finish line before Popov touched the edge, showing a clear difference in timing between the two.

"I...I'm stunned!"

"Haha, Wu Jinzhen is number one?"

"Oh my God!"

"They've advanced to the finals?"

Everyone felt a little unreal, and their brains were still experiencing a dizzying sensation after shouting.

Meanwhile, the results of Group 1 in the semifinals were already displayed on the large screen in the center of the stadium.

The first place winner was none other than Wu Jin from China.

【1 china Jin Wu Lane 7 22.01 AR/WYR/WJR】

(End of this chapter)