Sun says his experience with Park

HONG KONG (Yonhap News) ― Chinese swimmer Sun Yang, who beat his South Korean rival Park Tae-hwan, says his past experience with Park helped him win the first Chinese gold medal in the Olympic swimming events.

Sun, 20, claimed the first place in 400-meter freestyle swimming at the London Olympics on Saturday, establishing an Olympic record with 3:40.14. He was followed by Park who is two years older. “My experience with Park Tae-hwan helped,” Sun said in an interview with China’s state-run CCTV Saturday when asked what contributed most to his victory.

The rivalry between the two began in 2010, when Park beat out Sun both in the men’s 200-meter freestyle race and the 400-meter freestyle race at the Guangzhou Asian Games, claiming gold medals.

In the 2011 World Championships in Shanghai, Park, once gain, foiled an attempt by Sun to take over him in the 400-meter race.

Park, who failed to defend the first South Korean Olympic gold, had a shaky day, being initially disqualified for a false start during his preliminary heat earlier in the morning.

The decision was overturned by the Olympics governing body a few hours later, following a video review.

“If you once lose the rhythm, it’s hard to regain it,” Sun said about the final race.

Sun had said earlier that he looks up to Park.

“(Park) is my idol, but I’m not scared at all of him. I’m better than before. Both my coach and I feel I’m stronger,” he said during training.

“I learned how to face defeat,” he said referring to his loss to Park in Shanghai. “It makes me a stronger person coming to London.”