Chinese swimming star Qin Haiyang made a triumphant return to form at the Spring National Championships in Qingdao, Shandong province, clinching the men's 200m breaststroke title with a time of two minutes and 7.44 seconds.

The time would have placed him on the podium at the 2024 Paris Olympics, where the bronze medal was won in 2:07.90 by Dutchman Caspar Corbeau. This victory marks a significant step on his journey to reclaim his peak form after a turbulent 2024.

Qin's performance in Qingdao was a pleasant surprise, even to himself. "I didn't expect this result," he admitted. "My goal was simply to swim under 2:09. Today's result is faster than my time at last year's National Championships (2:08.87). I focused on executing every detail and each 50-meter segment, rather than obsessing over the final time."

This race was a stark contrast to his struggles at the 2024 Paris Games, where the 2023 Fukuoka world champion in the 50m, 100m, and 200m breaststroke failed to make the 200m final and finished seventh in the 100m.

Qin acknowledged that his previous focus on strength and conditioning training had been a misstep. "Last year, I placed too much emphasis on physical training, which didn't translate well into my performances. This cycle, I've shifted my focus back to training in the water, and it's paying off."

Qin also claimed victory in the men's 100m breaststroke, with a time of 58.66, a result that would have won him Olympic gold in Paris.

His performances in both the 100m and 200m events are promising indicators of his potential to return to the world-class level he once occupied.

"My performance is similar to where I was in 2023 when I was approaching my peak," he said. "It is a good start, and it is a sign that I'm regaining my best form."

Qin has been working with legendary Australian coach Michael Bohl for the past nine weeks. Bohl, one of Australia's most successful coaches, has mentored numerous Olympic and world champions, including Emma McKeon, Kaylee McKeown, Stephanie Rice, and Emily Seebohm.