China sweeps three golds in open water swimming at Asian Beach Games-Xinhua

Gold medalist crew China poses for photographs throughout the awarding ceremony of the open water swimming combined 4×1.5km Relay on the sixth Asian Beach Games in Sanya, south China’s Hainan Province, April 27, 2026. (Xinhua/Bei He)

SANYA, April 27 (Xinhua) — China claimed its third gold medal in open-water swimming on the sixth Asian Beach Games after profitable the combined 4×1.5km relay on Monday.

The Chinese quartet of Li Xinxuan, Chen Yijing, Zhang Ziyang and Liu Peixin delivered a dominant efficiency, ending in a single hour, 5 minutes and 26.8 seconds. Vietnam and South Korea took silver and bronze, respectively.

Unlike most groups, which positioned male swimmers on the opening and anchor legs, China despatched two 18-year-old girls out first. Li, who had already received the ladies’s 5km title, admitted she felt some strain racing alongside males.

“I thought the male swimmers might surge ahead, but I managed to stay with the leading group,” she mentioned. Li completed the opening leg 50.2 seconds behind Vietnam.

Chen then narrowed the hole, transferring China from sixth to second place. Liu overtook rivals within the third leg earlier than Zhang anchored the crew to victory.

“Our two female teammates did a fantastic job, which really boosted our confidence,” mentioned Zhang. “We trained together in Beijing for two weeks before the Games. We are a happy team, and that helps relieve pressure.”

Zhang, who received the boys’s 5km gold a day earlier, mentioned the tight schedule had been bodily demanding. “I was extremely tired yesterday. I’ve never felt that exhausted before,” he mentioned. “But the desire to win outweighed the fatigue.”

China’s clear sweep of all three open-water occasions introduced smiles throughout the squad. Head coach Cheng Zhang mentioned the crew had met its targets.

“Our goal before the Games was to strive for three gold medals,” he mentioned. “All teams are strong, but we performed better this time.”

Looking forward, Zhang mentioned the crew nonetheless has room for enchancment on the world stage. “We may be competitive in Asia, but globally we still need to improve,” he mentioned. “Our ultimate goal is to qualify for the 2028 Olympics.”

He added with a smile that he additionally had a private want: “Next time I come to Sanya, I’d love to try the local coconut chicken.” ■

Gold medalist crew China (C), silver medalist crew Vietnam (L) and bronze medalist crew South Korea pose for photographs throughout the awarding ceremony of the open water swimming combined 4×1.5km Relay on the sixth Asian Beach Games in Sanya, south China’s Hainan Province, April 27, 2026. (Xinhua/Bei He)

Zhang Ziyang (prime) of crew China begins after the exchage throughout the open water swimming combined 4×1.5km Relay on the sixth Asian Beach Games in Sanya, south China’s Hainan Province, April 27, 2026 (Xinhua/Bei He)

Chen Yijing of crew China begins after the trade throughout the open water swimming combined 4×1.5km Relay on the sixth Asian Beach Games in Sanya, south China’s Hainan Province, April 27, 2026. (Xinhua/Bei He)