Yu Yiting competes in the women's 200-meter individual medley swimming competition at the National Games on Wednesday in Xi'an, Shaanxi Province. Photo: VCG

 
"1:54.26!" As the commentator announced the new national record in the women's 200-meter individual freestyle, warm applause and cheers thundered around the swimming pool.

Tokyo Olympic medalist Tang Muhan renewed ­China's national record in the event, beating Yang Jun­xuan of Shandong Province at ­China's 14th National Games on Wednesday.

"Records were set to be broken," said Yang, who has also lowered the national record to 1:54.37 in the women's 4x200-meter freestyle relay at the Tokyo Olympics.

"The more competitive the National Games are, the better we will be prepared for future international events," added Yang.

Like Yang, many of China's elite swimmers are happy that more records are lowered by younger athletes. For them, the unrelenting pursuit of better results and the emerging upstarts motivate them to work harder.

"I hope Chinese swimmers can always take the gold medal in the women's 200-meter individual freestyle at international events," said double Olympic gold medalist Ye Shiwen of Zhejiang.

For many young swimmers in China, Ye is their role model. "I have been looking up to Ye for years, and she is like an older sister of mine," said 16-year-old Yu Yiting of Zhejiang.

Gold medalist Yu Yiting (left) and silver medalist Ye Shiwen Photo: VCG

Also on Wednesday, Yu surpassed Ye to win the women's 200-meter individual medley. 

"Ye kept telling me to go all out in the event," said Yu. "She made me realize that the key to better results is to beat myself."

"I hope that I can take Ye's role in the future. To this end, I will be patient and make more efforts to prepare for next year's Asian Games and the 2024 Paris Olympics," added Yu.

Ye said seeing younger athletes achieve good results at the National Games makes her proud of the Chinese swimming team.