1. Overview
Li Zhuhao (李朱濠Lǐ ZhūháoChinese, born January 9, 1999) is a Chinese competitive swimmer who specializes in the butterfly events. He has achieved significant success in major international competitions, including winning gold medals at the Asian Games, earning bronze medals at the World Aquatics Championships (both long course and short course), and setting multiple junior world records in butterfly events. This article details his early life, career progression, and comprehensive list of his achievements and personal bests.
2. Early Life and Career
Li Zhuhao's early life and the beginning of his swimming career laid the foundation for his later international success in butterfly events.
2.1. Birth and Early Life
Li Zhuhao was born on January 9, 1999, in Wenzhou, Zhejiang, China. He stands at 6.0 ft (1.83 m) tall and weighs 161 lb (73 kg).
2.2. Beginning of Swimming Career
Li began his competitive swimming career specializing in the butterfly stroke. He represents the Zhejiang club. His initial competitive experiences quickly led him to the international stage, with his first major appearance at the 2014 Asian Games marking the start of his professional career.
3. Career Achievements and Records
Li Zhuhao has compiled an impressive record of achievements throughout his career, including numerous medals at major international competitions and the setting of several world and national records.
3.1. Competition Results
Li Zhuhao has consistently performed at a high level across various international swimming events.
3.1.1. Asian Games
At the Asian Games, Li Zhuhao has secured multiple medals:
- 2014 Incheon:** He won a silver medal in the men's 100 metre butterfly. He also contributed to the gold medal-winning performance in the men's 4 × 100 metre medley relay, where the team set a new Asian Games record.
- 2018 Jakarta:** He continued his success, earning a silver medal in the men's 100 metre butterfly and a bronze medal in the men's 200 metre butterfly. He also secured another gold medal as part of the men's 4 × 100 metre medley relay team.
3.1.2. World Aquatics Championships
Li Zhuhao has also made his mark at the FINA World Aquatics Championships in both long course and short course formats.
- 2015 Kazan (Long Course):** In the semifinals of the 100 metre butterfly, he broke the junior world record with a time of 51.33 seconds. He finished 8th in the final of the event.
- 2017 Budapest (Long Course):** He earned a bronze medal in the 4 × 100 metre mixed medley relay.
- 2018 Hangzhou (Short Course):** At the FINA World Swimming Championships (25 m), he won two bronze medals: one in the 100 metre butterfly and another in the 200 metre butterfly.
3.1.3. Olympic Games
Li Zhuhao represented China at the Olympic Games.
- 2016 Rio de Janeiro:** He competed in the 100 metre butterfly final at the 2016 Summer Olympics, where he finished in 5th place.
3.2. World Records
Li Zhuhao has set multiple junior world records in butterfly events.
- 100 metre butterfly (long course):** In August 2015, during the semifinals of the 2015 World Aquatics Championships in Kazan, Russia, he set a junior world record with a time of 51.33 seconds.
- 200 metre butterfly (long course):** A month later, in September 2015, in Huangshan, he broke the junior world record for the 200 metre butterfly with a time of 1:55.52. This record was further lowered on April 15, 2017, at the Chinese National Championships, when he set a new junior world record of 1:55.09.
3.3. National Records
Li Zhuhao holds several Chinese national records in butterfly events.
- 50 metre butterfly:** He set the national record with a time of 23.36 seconds at the Chinese National Championships on April 11, 2017.
- 100 metre butterfly:** He holds the national record with a time of 50.96 seconds, achieved at the 2017 World Aquatics Championships on July 29, 2017.
4. Personal Bests
The following table details Li Zhuhao's personal best times in various long course swimming events.
| Event | Time | Meet | Date | Note(s) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 50 m freestyle | 22.85 | 2015 World Cup | September 30, 2015 | |
| 100 m freestyle | 51.95 | 2019 World Cup | August 9, 2019 | |
| 400 m freestyle | 3:50.10 | 1st Youth Swimming Championships | October 19, 2015 | |
| 50 m butterfly | 23.36 | Chinese National Championships | April 11, 2017 | National Record |
| 100 m butterfly | 50.96 | 2017 World Aquatics Championships | July 29, 2017 | National Record |
| 200 m butterfly | 1:55.09 | Chinese National Championships | April 13, 2017 |