China's Xu Jiayu, Qin Haiyang, Zhang Yufei and Cheng Yujie (L-R) celebrate their gold medals after winning the mixed 4x100m medley relay final at the World Aquatics Championships in Fukuoka, Japan, July 26, 2023. /CFP

Qin Haiyang was born in Shimen County, Changde in May 1999. When he was three years old, he moved to Zhuzhou with his parents. He began swimming training when he was five.

Qin Haiyang's enduring brilliance at the World Aquatics Championships was rewarded with another breaststroke gold on Wednesday night, as the Chinese rising star took center stage in Fukuoka before helping his teammates to mixed 4x100 meters medley relay glory.

The 24-year-old, who clocked an Asian record to win the men's 100m breaststroke title earlier this week, touched in 26.29 seconds in the 50m final to edge American five-time world champion Nic Fink who was 0.30 seconds slower. Qin's compatriot Sun Jiajun rounded off the podium in 26.79.

It marks the first time that China have won a gold in the men's 50m breaststroke event at the World Championships. But Qin maintained his customary humility and composure, expressing regret that he wasn't able to replicate his record-breaking performance at the semifinals.

China's Qin Haiyang reacts after winning the final of the men's 50m breaststroke event at the World Aquatics Championships in Fukuoka, Japan, July 26, 2023. /CFP

"I felt like my performance wasn't at its best today, so I consider myself fortunate to have won the gold medal," said Qin. "I hope that next time, I'll be able to secure a victory with a greater margin. My dream has always been to chase after world records, and I will continue to work hard towards achieving that goal."

Later in the day, Qin played a vital role in the mixed 4x100m medley relay final as he delivered a blistering second leg after taking over from Xu Jiayu to put China in control. Olympic champion Zhang Yufei and 18-year-old Cheng Yujie managed to maintain their lead as the Chinese team triumphed in this event at the World Championships for the first time, claiming the gold in 3:38.57.

Team USA, which boast several world champions including Ryan Murphy and Kate Douglass, had to settle for bronze in 3:40.19. The Australians came second in 3:39.03.

Chinese source: Voice of Hunan

English source: China Global Television Network