STILL LOOKING TO MAKE A SPLASH

Disgraced swimmer Sun hopes to continue breaking barriers, even if it's not with the national team

Even with the doors on his international return slammed shut, China's disgraced swimmer Sun Yang has refused to be written off in the pool, as he shapes up for his third domestic meet since returning from a doping ban.

As China's domestic trial for major international meets, the national swimming championships have witnessed many of Sun's career highlights, paving his way to three gold medals at two Olympics — London 2012 and Rio 2016 — while seeing his popularity soar to celebrity status.

At the 2025 edition, however, fans will likely see a different side to the once flamboyant champion — a humble, discreet veteran, trying to shake off the shadow of infamy caused by his controversial anti-doping rule violation and looking to prove that he remains a force to be reckoned with.