Gold medalist Qin triumphs again in the second world championship, making headlines before the anticipated event
Chinese Swimmer Qin Wins 100m Breaststroke Gold at World Championships
In a remarkable comeback, Chinese swimmer Qin has won the gold medal in the 100m breaststroke event at the 2022 World Championships. This victory comes after a series of challenges that included a doping scandal and Olympic disappointment.
Qin, who tested positive for a prescription heart drug along with 22 other Chinese swimmers ahead of the pandemic-delayed 2021 Tokyo Olympics, was not sanctioned after the World Anti-Doping Agency accepted the explanation of food contamination. His winning time in the 100m breaststroke was 2min 07.41sec.
The world record holder Qin also won the 200m breaststroke final at an unspecified event. However, at the 2021 Paris Olympics, he failed to make the final of the 200m breaststroke.
Following a disappointing performance at the 2024 Paris Olympics, Qin returned to form and reclaimed his top world status. He beat Olympic champion Martinenghi to win the 100m breaststroke World Championship gold. After his victory, Qin described his recovery as a "miracle" and emphasized overcoming pressure as his hardest challenge.
In the 2022 World Championships, several other notable performances were recorded. Defending champion Marrit Steenbergen won the 100m freestyle event, denying Mollie O'Callaghan a sprint double. Steenbergen expressed mixed feelings about her victory, stating she doesn't know what to feel due to the weak competition.
In the men's 4x200m freestyle relay event, Britain won their first title in Singapore, while China finished second. Australia finished third.
Katie Ledecky and Emma McIntosh will compete in the 800m freestyle final at the 2022 world championships. McIntosh has already won three golds from three events in Singapore, and clocked the third-fastest 800m freestyle time ever in June.
In the 200m backstroke final, Hubert Kos won the gold, with Pieter Coetze finishing second and Yohann Ndoye-Brouard taking third. Caspar Corbeau of the Netherlands took bronze in the 200m breaststroke final with a time of 2:07.73, just behind Qin.
Kate Douglass won the 200m breaststroke event, with Evgeniia Chikunova finishing second and Kaylene Corbett taking third. The 200m freestyle event in the 2022 world championships lacked several big names who were saving themselves for the 2024 Paris Olympics.
Qin celebrated his second victory as if it were his first, stating, "Amazing, have you heard of the lane eight miracle?" after his victory. This refers to the fact that he started the race in lane eight but regained the world title he won in 2023.
The 2022 World Championships have been a testament to the resilience and determination of the athletes, with Qin's comeback being a highlight of the event. As he looks ahead to the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, Qin will undoubtedly be a swimmer to watch.
Sports continue to captivate the world as Chinese swimmer Qin, despite facing challenges such as a doping scandal and Olympic disappointment, regained his top world status by winning the 100m breaststroke gold at the 2022 World Championships.
The 2022 World Championships, hosted in Singapore, showcased numerous remarkable performances in various swimming events, with Qin's comeback being a significant highlight.
