Yu Cheng Unexpected Winner in Men's 1,500m Freestyle

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Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Saturday, October 05, 2002

Yu Cheng Unexpected Winner in Men's 1,500m Freestyle

"I love China!" That's the word Yu Cheng yelled atop the podium after his victory in the men's 1,500 meters freestyle at the Asian Games here on Friday, wearing the bright Chinese national flag.

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"I love China!" That's the word Yu Cheng yelled atop the podium after his victory in the men's 1,500 meters freestyle at the Asian Games here on Friday, wearing the bright Chinese national flag.

In the marathon event of the pool, Yu placed fourth, third and second for most of the time before he surged ahead from the split of 1,450m, winning in 15 minutes 10.99 seconds by bettering 4.96 seconds off his personal-best set in last year's National Games.

Pace-setter Cho Sung-mo of South Korea had to settle for the silver medal in 15:12.32, followed by compatriot Han Kyu-chui in 15:22.38 and 400m freestyle champion Shunichi Jujita of Japan in 15:24.64.

"I am extremely happy for the gold! I am very proud to join theranks with the Chinese winners," said the 18-year-old. "I thought about the gold but did not expect I can swim this fast."

Yu, national champion over the distance since last November, contributed his disappointed trip at the World Short Course Championships, his first big international event, in Moscow, Aprilthis year to his victory in Busan.

"I was fast in the first 1,000m but faded in the last part whenother big-name swimmers swam over me with no mercy. So I decided to change my strategy that is to save the best for the last," he said.

"I saved my energy today in the first part and kept my momentumuntil the end. I am happy with the result and the taste of the victory is wonderful."

With a height of 1.97 meters, Yu is tipped as the most talentedswimmer in the Chinese national team. However, he had a different view.

"I am not talented but hard-working. I don't think talent is everything. Besides, without my coach Zhu Zhigen, I am nobody," said the ecstatic Yu.

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