Chinese swimming sensation

 

 

China's super-talented swimmer Ye Shiwen, who in her Olympic debut snatched two gold medals as well as set a new world record, became an overnight sensation and drew overwhelming support and praise from home for her stunning successes in London.

Ye and a group of brilliant young teenagers from the London Olympic Games are among the leading contenders up for a nomination in the 2013 Laureus World Breakthrough of the Year Award. Laureus said that 16-year-old Ye was one of the most sensational revelations of the London Games, winning both the 200m and 400m individual medley gold medals.

Sun Yang made a big splash during the London Olympics when he won the 400m and 1,500m freestyle gold medals and went on to become the first ever Chinese male swimmer to win Olympic gold. He also set a new world record in the 1500m event.

Sun also broke the meet record for the third time in the ongoing Asian Swimming Championships as he claimed the men's 1,500m freestyle title. The 21-year-old, who set the men's 1,500m freestyle world record of 14 minutes and 31.02 seconds at the London Olympic Games, clocked in at 14:44.10 to win the gold.