Zhang Zhanshuo Destroys World Junior Record in 400 Freestyle at Chinese Nationals
A little more than a month after finishing fifth in the event at the World Championships in Singapore, China’s Zhang Zhanshuo destroyed the world junior record in the 400-meter freestyle. Racing at the Chinese National Championships, Zhang posted a swim of 3:42.99, an effort that cut more than a second off the previous WJR. The former record was held by Bulgaria’s Petar Mitsin, who went 3:44.31 at the 2023 European Junior Championships.
Zhang was busy at the World Championships, where he contested the 200 freestyle, 400 freestyle and 800 freestyle. In the 400 free, he claimed fifth place with a performance of 3:44.82. Five weeks later, he is almost two seconds faster and the potential for the 18-year-old on the road to the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles is evident. At the World Champs, Zhang was the anchor for China in the 800 freestyle relay, helping his country to the silver medal behind Great Britain. Zhang capped that relay with a split of 1:44.20.
“I feel like today made up for the regrets I have following the World Championships and I achieved a goal I’ve had for years – breaking the world junior record,” Zhang said, according to the South China Morning Post.
