A major performance! This Sunday, Pan Zhanle achieved one of the highlights of the Doha Worlds, shunned by many big names in the discipline. The Chinese broke the world record in the 100m freestyle in 46.80. This new mark was established during the 4x100m freestyle relay, won by China.
Pan Zhanle left as the first torchbearer of his team. With this feat, the 19-year-old swimmer succeeds David Popovici, the previous record holder over the distance since the European Championships in Rome, in the summer of 2022.
#Doha2024 | ???? ???????????????????????????? ????
The huge sensation in Doha! Pan Zhanle ???????? has just broken the 100m world record during the 4x100m freestyle final (46 s 80)! The Chinese win gold ????
— francetvsport (@francetvsport) February 11, 2024
The first Chinese to set a world record over the main distance, his time is all the more surprising as it was not expected. “Yeah, that was an incredible time. I trusted my friends and we did our best, Pan said. I said to myself: + Swim thoroughly. + I was shocked when I saw the time, I didn’t expect to break the world record now, I wanted to keep it for the Paris Olympics. »
Before these Worlds, Pan had only one world medal, silver in the 4x100m freestyle relay last year in Fukuoka (Japan). He also has three Asian Games titles, including the 100m. His previous personal best was 46.97, which made him the fifth fastest man in the world before arriving in Qatar.
Just over five months before the Olympic Games – the events will take place from July 27 to August 4 in swimming – the man who created the sensation in Qatar is well and truly asserting himself.
