They promised to win the swimming championship, but what's with this "Grand Slam" thi

Chapter 39: Interview!

As the original leader of this project, Chen Zuo thought that the gold medal should belong to him this time.

With home advantage, the fact that he didn't go all out in the preliminaries and semifinals, and the boost from three gold medals, even though his head coach, Mo Zhengjie, also had high hopes for Chen Zuo's project.

In fact, Chen Zuo does have the ability to compete for the championship.

22 second 95!

This result would be a gold medal in any men's 50m freestyle final in China or even in the whole of Asia.

This is even Chen Zuo's best personal best in all competitions, big and small, throughout his career in the 50m freestyle!

He put in all his effort for this gold medal, risking being disqualified to fire a shot, and it can be said that he performed at the best level of his career.

A state that has never existed before.

But in the end, they still lost!

The champion's result is still so far behind.

If Wu Jin's final swimming time is around 22.90 seconds, Chen Zuo can always find an excuse for himself to catch up next time.

But 22.62 seconds...

To take revenge with one's head?!

They're not even in the same league!

22.90 seconds is the Asian standard, 22.62 seconds is the world's second standard.

In an instant, Chen Zuo felt somewhat relieved; this was perhaps the mental fortitude of an adult athlete.

They accepted their defeat wholeheartedly.

Chen Zuo has gained a particularly thorough understanding of the cruelty of competitive sports through his experiences over the years.

Effort is truly insignificant in the face of talent.

"Congratulations!"

Chen Zuo reached out his hand to Wu Jin and gave him a high five.

"Coming to the national team next month?"

Chen Zuo was certainly aware of the qualifying standard for the men's 50m freestyle event at this year's Barcelona World Swimming Championships, and he barely met it, which meant he qualified for the competition.

Currently, only he and Wu Jin are able to participate in the men's 50m freestyle at the World Championships in 3 months!

However, Chen Zuo also qualified for the 100-meter and 200-meter races.

Strictly speaking, he can register for 6 events, including 3 relays, making him an absolute key player for the national team.

"Yes, he'll join the national team next month!"

"welcome!"

Chen Zuo's words came from the bottom of his heart.

Other players might have many thoughts about losing to a 12-year-old, but for a veteran of the Chinese team, nothing is more gratifying than seeing an outstanding junior.

This is not just empty talk. Although Chen Zuo longed for a fourth gold medal, he had already won three, and he certainly didn't feel as disappointed as anyone else.

In swimming, for many veterans, teamwork is the most important thing.

He can completely abandon the 50-meter freestyle event and focus all his efforts on preparing for the 100m, 200m and relay.

Otherwise, if no one else submits projects, he'll have to step in.

"There might be an interview later. Have you been interviewed before?"

At this moment, Chen Zuo acted like an older brother, asking Wu Jin, who was half a head shorter and thinner than him.

"Interview?"

Wu Jin clearly hadn't considered this possibility.

"That's right, now that you've won the championship, the reporters will definitely ask you whether new faces are still welcome!"

As if he had thought of something, Chen Zuo smiled.

"Of course, I'll get asked too..."

The Three-Gold King lost to his younger brother, and the reporters will definitely gossip about it.

Wu Jin was surprised that the domestic championship also included an interview segment. It seemed that CCTV-5 did not broadcast the event live; only the local TV station in Tianjin broadcast it.

But he was clearly unaware that the internet was just emerging and portal websites were in the midst of their rapid expansion.

Sure enough, as soon as Wu Jin, Chen Zuo, and Cai Li walked out of the contestant passage, they were stopped by a large number of reporters at the exit.

The top three were interviewed.

Sina, Tencent, NetEase, and several local media outlets from Jinshi were all crammed into the mixed zone.

Many people were holding microphones and staring longingly at the exit of the passage.

As soon as the athletes came out, they started shouting.

"Wu Jin, Wu Jin!"

"?"

This was the first time Wu Jin had experienced such a situation.

Before the competition, the Zhejiang provincial team didn't expect him to win the championship, and they didn't give him any training on interview techniques.

There are actually people who can provide guidance on these things.

Because many reporters like to set traps, and some athletes are not good at socializing, they need professionals to talk to them about the problems they might encounter during the interview. The more they talk, the more experienced the athletes will naturally become.

But right now, Wu Jin clearly has no experience whatsoever; she's a complete novice.

Reporters love this kind of person the most; they'll answer any question, especially a 12-year-old, who really generates a lot of buzz.

Many reporters already had headlines in mind for when they returned.

12-Year-Old Swimmer Wins National Championship!

"12-Year-Old Swimming Prodigy, All in Black, Defeats World Champion to Win Gold Medal!"

"A 12-year-old national swimming champion: Another swimming prodigy is born in China!"

...Chen Zuo won the gold medal in the 100m freestyle event at the Short Course Swimming World Cup two years ago, and can indeed be called a world champion.

Although the Swimming World Cup is not as prestigious as the Asian Games.

"Be careful, just answer a few questions!"

Chen Zuochao reminded Wu Jin, and the three of them came to the reporter.

A reporter from Jinshi immediately asked, "Wu Jin, are you really only 12 years old?"

Age is indeed the issue that reporters are most concerned about.

"Yes, 12 years, two months, and 14 days!"

Some gave odd amounts, others even small ones, which made many reporters smile.

"Did you change your age?"

This was asked by a reporter from NetEase.

These days, many reporters are indeed very bold; this is a very pointed question.

Chen Zuo, who was standing next to him, frowned slightly.

In recent years, there have been many cases of athletes falsifying their ages in order to participate in competitions with specific age thresholds, especially in football, which is a major area affected.

It wasn't until 2008, with the introduction of ID card recognition systems and increased bone age testing in international competitions, that cases of athletes falsifying their ages gradually disappeared.

Of course, because of China's large population, there are so many cases of age falsification; in fact, there are similar cases in other countries as well, not just in China.

Wu Jin was well aware of these things, so she smiled and said, "No, can you make my age younger?"

"Hahaha!"

Chen Zuo, who was standing next to him, almost burst out laughing and could only turn his face away and look elsewhere.

This kid.

The reporter clearly dug a hole by questioning whether he had lied about his age, and even that he had lied about being younger; for example, he was actually 14 years old, but he falsely claimed to be 12.

Wu Jin, on the other hand, questioned him in the opposite way.

The NetEase reporter was indeed taken aback for a moment, and then the Sina reporter next to him said, "Wu Jin, first of all, congratulations on winning the men's 50m freestyle championship, and even swimming a good time of 22.62 seconds. Did you expect this result before the competition?"

This question is quite technical, since Sina has just launched a sports section and invited many professional reporters to join.

"No, I haven't thought about it!"

"I never even expected to make it to the semifinals. The coach just sent me here to experience the game!"

"..."

The runner-up Chen Zuo and the third-place Cai Li, who were standing next to him, were momentarily speechless upon hearing this.

Of course, Wu Jin is right. The two of them are just a little uncomfortable. Little brother, your humility is hurting both of us.

"So that means you never thought you would win?"

The reporter pressed for further answers.

Just when everyone thought Wu Jin would be modest again, Wu Jin said instead, "I have thought about it!"

Who doesn't want to be a champion?

Chen Zuo: "..."

No problem.

This guy's interview is quite interesting; it's all about genuine feelings, without any fancy techniques.

The reporters clearly liked the young player in front of them; his answers were very sincere, unlike the veteran players, who were all very smooth-talking.

"Wu Jin, have you ever swum this time before?"

"no!"

How do you feel about winning the championship?

"Of course I'll be happy!"

……

"Okay?"

"The two guys next to me also have to be interviewed!"

Just as the reporters were about to continue asking questions, Wu Jin suddenly pointed to Chen Zuo and Cai Li next to her, and Chen Zuo quickly squeezed in.

He wasn't eager to be interviewed, but rather he wanted to protect Wu Jin and didn't want reporters to ask any more pointless and offensive questions.

The reporter who just asked about the age change will definitely be reported.

After about five minutes, Wu Jin finally finished his first-ever interview experience.

It's... pretty boring.

Some of the questions were good, while others were just plain stupid.

Of course, Wu Jin was just playing them for fun; he deliberately said many things in that way.

"First, we'll conduct the test, then we'll go collect the prize!"

Chen Zuo said something to Wu Jin, and then saw Xu Guoyi, who looked excited, walk up to him.

"Sure, Wu Jin!"

"Cai Li, you're not bad either!"

"One gold and one bronze medal, mission accomplished!"

He stood there patting someone's arm with one hand, his smile clearly uncontrollable.

"Coach, how much bonus can I expect to get this time?"

While accompanying Xu Guoyi to the competition inspection, Wu Jin secretly asked a question.

We still need to ask about the money.

He has nothing to lack, but his parents have really worked hard all these years!

(End of this chapter)