Pan Zhanle set a new world record in the men's 100m freestyle at the 2024 Paris Olympics. (Images by Getty)

"I finally beat all of them" - China's Pan Zhangle rejoices over getting revenge on USA swimmers with world record at Paris Olympics

Modified Aug 01, 2024 13:52 GMT

Following his recent victory at the 2024 Paris Olympics, Pan Zhanle expressed his satisfaction at defeating the USA contenders in the 100m freestyle event. Pan, who holds multiple World Championships and Asian Games medals, registered a new world record while securing his first medal at the 2024 Paris Games.

Pan posted a time of 46.40 seconds to register the new world record in the men's 100m freestyle event. His nearest challengers as he achieved this record-breaking feat were Kyle Chalmers and David Popovici. The two finished in silver and bronze medal positions with timings of 47.48 and 47.49 seconds, respectively.

Following his victory, in a post-swim interview, he shared he had "washed away" what he felt was humiliation visited upon him by Chalmers and Alexy Jack during training and previous races. Pan stated that Chalmers completely ignored him after the 4x100m relay when he extended his greetings and that Jack of Team USA splashed water on his coach during a training session, which did not sit well we him.

"Today I finally beat all of them," Zhanle said. "I was able to break the world record in a pool that's so hard to swim in. So it was an incredible performance. I was able to get team China off to a great start."

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Jack finished in seventh place in the men's 100m freestyle event after recording a time of 47.96 seconds.

"He deserves that gold medal" - Kyle Chalmers on Pan Zhanle clinching the 100m freestyle gold at Paris Olympics

Zhanle Pan and Kyle Chalmers pose during the Swimming medal ceremony at the Olympic Games 2024 in Paris, France (Photo via Getty Images)

Kyle Chalmers praised Pan Zhanle after the latter secured his first Olympic medal.

In an interview with The Nightly, the Australian swimmer acknowledged it was tough to overcome Pan and also expressing amazement at the Chinese swimmer's world record-breaking time. Further, he also stated that the 19-year-old deserved the victory:

“The last 15m breathing towards him," Chalmer said. "I thought I could be dead last because he was so far ahead of me. For him to produce a 46.4 and break the world record in the Olympic final is incredible compared to going 48.4 in the heat and almost missing it. It’s great that he’s able to reset and refocus and swim so fast tonight.”

“It’s a time I never dreamed or saw as possible," he added. “I trust that ... he deserves that gold medal.”

With this winning time, Pan outdid his previous world record of 46.80 seconds, set during the 2024 World Aquatics Championships in Doha, Qatar.