Sun proves point with blazing win in 200 freestyle
Print Edition
CHINA’S Sun Yang thundered to Olympic gold in the men’s 200 meters freestyle on Monday to banish his inner demons after a stinging loss at the weekend.
The talismanic Chinese giant bounced back from losing his 400 title to Australian Mack Horton by reeling in fast-starting Chad le Clos to become the first man to win three of the five Olympic freestyle titles.
“I’ve won gold medals in the 400 and 1,500 meters and the only thing missing was the 200,” Sun said, refusing to gloat following a war of words triggered by Horton’s criticism of his doping record.
“Look, what I can say is that it was a real pity I couldn’t defend my 400 title,” he added. “I admit I didn’t pay enough attention to detail and I paid for it. I don’t see this gold as revenge for the Horton stuff. It’s a valuable lesson to learn as I try to win it back at next year’s world championships.”
South African Le Clos went out in explosive fashion and was still leading at the final turn before Sun mowed him down over the final 50 meters to win in one minute, 44.65 seconds.
It was Sun’s third Olympic gold medal after winning the 400 and 1,500 titles in London four years ago.
Le Clos, who was to take on Michael Phelps in yesterday’s 200 butterfly final, took silver in 1:45.20 and American Conor Dwyer bronze in 1:45.23.
Sun’s run-in with Horton sparked a diplomatic incident after the Australian said: “I don’t have time for drug cheats.”
The hulking Chinese, who has frequently courted controversy since shooting to fame in London, secretly served a three-month drugs suspension for testing positive for the banned stimulant trimetazidine in 2014.
He claimed it was for a heart condition but Horton stood by his comments after stripping Sun of his 400 title. That prompted Chinese media to label Horton as immoral and his nation as a former “offshore prison”.
“What’s past is past,” shrugged Sun. “I just tried to be myself today and block out all the distractions. It worked. I was more relaxed tonight. Even my family watching on TV told me I looked nervous before the 400.
“I thought I showed more maturity tonight. People can talk but what’s important is to focus on your own swimming, to do your own thing. It feels amazing.”
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