Newly-crowned world swimming champion Sun Yang of China will sing a song at the opening ceremony of the World University Games on Friday night.

The 19-year-old Sun won the gold medal at the Shanghai world championships and broke the world record in the 1500 meters freestyle, long-held by Grant Hackett of Australia and which was the longest-held world record in swimming, and the only men's swimming record to not have been beaten during the techsuit era.

Sun also won the men's 800m at the Shanghai worlds and has been widely regarded as the new super star following hurdler Liu Xiang.

"I think it's hard to sing a song at the opening ceremony," Sun told reporters. "It's more difficult than training in the pool. I am very excited and nervous to perform on the stage."

Sun will not compete in the Universiade although he has registered as a student of the Zhejiang University.

Local media reported earlier that Sun is also one of the stars to light the cauldron at the opening ceremony which Chinese President Hu Jintao has been announced to attend.