BEIJING, Aug. 13 (Xinhua) -- World champion swimmer Xu Jiayu revealed his five-gold goal at the upcoming Jakarta Asian Games to be held from August 18 to September 2 here on Monday.
Xu, who followed other big names for photos as a rookie at the Incheon Asian Games four years ago, was runner-up at the 2016 Rio Olympic Games, and claimed victory at the 2017 Budapest World Championships in the men's 100 meters backstroke.
"I expect to better my personal best and break the world record in the 100m. I also hope I can win as many gold medals as possible in Jakarta, I hope I can win five gold medals,"said Xu, who will compete in the 50m, 100m and 200m backstroke and two medley relays at the Asian Games.
"I was too nervous and too anxious for victory in 2014, and that made me deliver a below-par performance during the competition. I have learned a lot from that lesson and experienced the Olympic Games and the World Championships. I am more confident right now," Xu added.
Unlike other Chinese swimmers who trained abroad for preparation, Xu stayed in China and trained with his long time coach Xu Guoyi, who also coaches two-time Olympic champion Ye Shiwen.
"The Asian Games is a kind of mid-term exam for us and our final goal is the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games," said Xu, who will celebrate his 23rd birthday on the first day of the swimming competition at the Asian Games on August 19. Enditem
