China’s Sun Yang dropped out of his country’s 4×200 free relay at the Asian Games today, but does plan to finish out his slate of individual events, according to his coach, Yang Zadong.
Sun injured his thumb during the 200 freestyle, where he took home the silver medal. His status for the rest of the meet was uncertain at the time, and when he didn’t compete on China’s 4×200 free relay, it looked like his Asian Games could be ending early. But coach Yang told Chinese media outlets that Sun does plan to round out his slate of individual races this week, a lineup that includes the 400 and 1500 freestyles.
Sun has been training normally since the injury, according to Phoenix Sports, and should be a go for the 400 free tomorrow (or technically tonight, for those following in the U.S.), the event in which Sun is the defending Olympic champ.
Sun will take on South Korean rival Park Tae-hwan in that race after just beating him for silver in the 200 free. But perhaps the most notable in that race is Japan’s Kosuke Hagino, who’s already won three golds in Incheon including a win over both Sun and Park in the 200 free, prompting one Chinese media outlet to remind Sun not to neglect the Japanese in his next series of rivalry-stirring television commercials.
Great. To be honest, last night race was a little bit boring. Can’t wait for tonight race!
No excuses.. He should have been in that relay to help out his team mates even if they dont win gold.. Aussies Cate Campbell (shoulder) and James Magnussen (back) faced injuries yet still gave it their all for the relay races at both Comm Games and Pan Pacs.. And just to highlight even further, James gave up the 50 free individual event but still kept all his relay duties..
So it’s okay for him to try and save face for himself but not to show up for his teammates? I hope Park blows him away in the 400 and that it isn’t even close.
Finger injury?…Are you kidding?? Man up Yang
I’m really starting to not like him. He seems like a drama queen and he makes excuses. HE can step up and swim for himself but not his teammates? I’m glad it is looking like Paliterini is capable of beating him in KAzan and RIo
I think that is unfair. At OG he outsplit Germany and Australia for Bronze at the relay and at Worlds he swam the fastest split ever going for China National Record and crushing France and JPN (who went a very good 1:45 on the last splits.. and Yang went 1:43:16 for bronze
That exactly highlights why he should of been on the relay. Not that it would of made of difference probably, as the Japanese won by almost 10 seconds.
Sun hasn’t improved in 2 years except for his trash talking and drama outside the pool.
Good news. Wish he had been on the relay, though it wouldn’t of made a difference. Even with the injured thumb, he should win easily in the 1500. As for the 400, Hagino or Park might put up some resistance, though I still expect him to win.