Sun Yang's coach wants reconciliation

Sun Yang's long-term coach Zhu Zhigen praised the swimmer's performance at the Barcelona Worlds Sunday and at the same time expressed his willingness to be back together with the Olympic gold medallist.

"Sun is still a child and he needs time to grow up," said Zhu, who helped Sun to win two golds at the 2012 London Games, reports Xinhua.

"I always care about him and I hope he can understand me. I have never thought of giving up."

"Sun communicated with me before and after every race," Zhu said. "I told him that sunshine always comes after the rain and my door will be always open to him."

After dating an air hostess since returning from London, the balance couldn't be reached between Sun's personal life and swimming career.

The 10-year-long relationship between Sun and his coach Zhu Zhigen turned sour after the swimmer reportedly asked for a new coach earlier this year.

Though the two parties put on a gesture of reconciliation in March, Sun once again requested to part ways with Zhu and trained seperately.

To prepare for the swimming worlds, Sun trained in Hong Kong for two weeks under former Chinese head coach Zhang Yadong.

After winning the men's 400m free at the worlds last Sunday, Sun burst into tears and thanked both Zhu and Zhang. Sun also said he had never denied Zhu's effort but he wanted a new training style.

Sun became only the second man to defend his gold medal in the 800m freestyle at the World Championships when he swam to a comfortable victory with a world leading time.

Sun's most incredible performance in Barcelona was in the men's 4X200m freestyle relay Friday. He produced the best split of the race to swim his final leg in 1:43.96 and give China a miraculous bronze medal. The time was even faster than Frenchman Yannick Agnel's winning time at the 200m freestyle final, which was 1:44.20.

Sun is on track to make a hat-trick as he is the favourite in the 1500m freestyle final.