Wang claims gold in the men's 200-meter individual medley. [Photo/2026 National Swimming Championships]

The 2026 National Swimming Championships opened at the Hangzhou Olympic Sports Center Aquatic Arena in Xiaoshan district on June 16, bringing together more than 500 athletes from 30 teams across China.

The six-day competition serves as the country's top domestic swimming event and a key qualifier for the 2026 Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games.

On the opening day, seven gold medals were awarded, with several of China's biggest swimming stars in action.

Olympic champion Wang Shun delivered another impressive performance in the men's 200-meter individual medley, finishing in 1:56.16 to secure his 13th consecutive national title in the event. Representing Zhejiang, Wang led from start to finish and extended one of the longest winning streaks in Chinese swimming.

In the men's 100m freestyle, world champion Pan Zhanle captured gold in 47.91 seconds, the only swimmer in the final to break the 48-second mark.

Meanwhile, Xu Jiayu topped the men's 100m backstroke in 52.47 seconds after leading throughout the race.

The championships feature 41 events, including freestyle, backstroke, breaststroke, butterfly, medley and relay races. Competition continues on June 17 with finals in the men's and women's 50m backstroke, men's 50m freestyle, women's 200m freestyle, men's 100m breaststroke, women's 200m individual medley and men's 4×200m freestyle relay.

Xu Jiayu (center) tops the men's 100m backstroke in 52.47 seconds. [Photo/2026 National Swimming Championships]