122 Test Trial

Coming out of his thoughts, Tang Yan looked up and saw Shen Qing's gaze.

Slightly embarrassed he said: "Is there a limit to the quota, if not, I'll just report for the freestyle events first.

There's the 50 meters, 100 meters, 200 meters, 400 meters, 800 meters and 1500 meters right ...I'll sign up for those ones."

He counted on his fingers and when he saw the increasing shock in Shen Qing's eyes.

He added: "If you can..."

"Do you know what you are talking about?" Shen Qing finally recovered and said bewildered.

"I know it's a lot but I'm confident to reach the A grade standard for them." Tang Yan patted his chest and said.

"You...." Shen Qing wanted to say that he was delusional but when he thought of Guo Yong, his words got held back.

Any one who could win Guo Yong's favor, that stingy bastard wasn't ordinary.

Before retiring to the city team, he had been a core member of the national team. Scouting and training a great number of talents.

Finessing his recruits had become the favourite past time of the provincial team and the national team.

"If it doesn't work, I will just report for the 50 meters like you said." Tang Yan saw Shen Qing's expression and said helplessly.

"....Okay, I will arrange for you to participate in the test trial for all the freestyle events, but as for the National Championship that will depend on your performance." Shen Qing interrupted his words.

"Really? Thank you, that's great!" Tang Yan said overjoyed.

Although he could not participate in the four disciplines at the same time, if he selected freestyle  stroke and participated at all distances, the amount of honor points harvested would definitely be astronomical.

"Well, you can go. I am looking forward to your performance." Shen Qing controlled his expression.

If Tang Yan failed to live up to his expectations, it would be a big blow to his prestige in the team.

He was banking on Gou Yong's judgment.

...

After joining the provincial swimming team, Tang Yan quickly became close friends with Sun Yang and Ye Shiwen. He was easy going and tranquil so he was able to quickly mingle and join their group.

The group was made up of the younger members of the provincial team.

Ye Shiwen took greatly to him, she was the youngest member of the team at only 14 years old.

Everyone saw her as the younger sister of the team. Her innocent ways made her extremely popular.

Despite the tension and extreme competition on the team, she was the one team member everyone couldn't help but smile at. She eased the tension with her antics.

Perhaps drawn in by the fact he was the new guy and soothed by the serene maturity of Tang Yan she was drawn to him.

Tang Yan was an only child but before he knew it he had caught himself a little sister. A mischievous little sidekick who loved to tag along.

Tang Yan was quite happy with his days, after all an opportunity to get along with these future Olympic champions wasn't something everyone got.

Despite getting along with most people, Tang Yan's performance during this time attracted many people's criticism.

After he joined the swimming team, he rarely traveled to the pool, he spent most of his time on shore observing the performance of his teammates.

And when he did swim, he could be seen practising basic techniques and forms.

This attracted a lot of attention.

Many began to privately believe that he got in the swimming team by relying on connections and fame.

These rumors and other gossip began to spread.

On this day, after he ended his daily training session as usual, Ye Shiwen couldn't help but say: "Brother Tang, how come you only practise the basic forms

"Because it's important to perfect the basics to create a firm foundation to build on."

"....But....people are saying bad things...spreading rumors that..."

"Don't worry about them, I don't need to prove anything to them.

"But I hear them saying bad things about you, it's annoying to hear."

"You need to show them what you've got, okay! Because...then they'll stop, yeah then they won't mess with you." Ye Shiwen said tugging at his arm.

"Okay, okay. Got it, there is the test trials coming up. I'll show them what I've got then." Tang Yan said with a smile.

"Good, I'll cheer for you from the sidelines!" Ye Shiwen hollered excitedly.Find authorized novels in Webnovel，faster updates, better experience，Please click www.novelhall.com for visiting.

"Okay, calm down lets go get some lunch." Tang Yan said shaking his head in amusement.

"Wait, can we please go to Quanjude. Please pretty please!"

"Okay, fine but you can't order too much."

Athletes especially swimmer diets were strictly controlled.

The canteen on the training grounds was highly regulated but it's where they most often ate, with the exception of times when they snuck out for lunch, the Quanjude restaurant  down the road was the go to place for such occasions.

As soon as she heard Tang Yan agree, Ye Shiwen excitedly clapped her hands and they went to gather the rest of their group and head for lunch.

Tang Yan smiled walking after the excited Ye Shiwen.

The reason why he didn't practise intensely here was because he really wanted to observe others.

The abilities of Zhang Shun were reflected in speed and body control but Tang Yan was striving to seamlessly blend the skills of the ancients with modern swimming techniques.

So he observed and practised to perfect the basics. All the while taking in techniques he saw, as long as they proved helpful in him perfecting his own style.

All he had to do now was to wait for the test trials to come.

...

The amount of days till the start of the National Championships were quickly dwindling.

So they decided to hold the test trial for the provincial team.

Each team member of the provincial team was gearing up, eager to try.

After all, with the World Championships looming again, everyone wanted the opportunity to stand on the big stage.

The first discipline was the breaststroke events.

The breaststroke had only 100 meters and 200 meters in the World Championships.

For these events the strength of the Zhejiang Province was good. The participants in the test competition were also the main national swimmers.

All three swimmers met the A grade requirements of the National Championship.

After the breaststroke was the backstroke, after the backstroke was the butterfly stroke, the test results were similar to before.

Tang Yan was sat by the sidelines and by now he looked a little sleepy.

Although the level of the Zhejiang Province was already top-notch in the country, it was still slightly worse for wear internationally.

After the end of the butterfly events, the freestyle trials began

The first event to start was the 50m freestyle.

The beginning of this team trial naturally attracted the attention of the other swimmers.

Especially when Tang Yan appeared among the first group.

Everyone was full of expectations.

They wanted to see how Tang Yan would perform.