Chinese break-out swimming star Ning Zetao has been awarded the China Central Television Sports Male Personality of the Year Award for 2015. The annual CCT Sports Awards, referred to as the Chinese version of the Laureus World Sports Awards, are held in high regard within the nation, as a total of 50 athletes were nominated across 10 specific categories.
This is Ning’s 2nd consecutive year earning the award, this time honoring the 23-year-old’s world-topping performance in the men’s 100m freestyle in Kazan last summer. Ning earned gold in the event at the 2015 FINA World Championships, logging a time of 47.84, which ranked him #1 in the world for all of 2015.
With his achievement in Kazan, Ning became the first Chinese male to win gold at a World Championships in a sprint freestyle event. Ning also scored 4 gold medals at the Asian Games in Incheon, South Korea.
Ning beat out teammate Sun Yang for the award, with Sun having been nominated for his 2 individual gold medals in Kazan. Other candidates in the category included basketball star Yi Jianlian and table tennis world champion Ma Long.
Also receiving awards at the gala held on January 24th, was Liu Hong, a Chinese race walker, who won the Female Personality of the Year Award, while basketball player Zhou Qui was named Best Rookie of the Year.
>”With his achievement in Kazan, Ning became the first Chinese male to win gold at a World Championships.”
Pretty sure Ning isn’t the first Chinese swimmer to win a world championship gold… Not sure who is but Zhang Lin (2009), Sun Yang (2011,2013) both won golds in world championships before Ning.
Deraj – should be implying “in a sprint freestyle” event. I’ve updated to be more specific.
Thanks for clarification.
Deraj, yes, Zhang Lin is the fist Chinese male to win gold at WC. Sun and Ning make the 2nd and 3rd respectively.The best result Chinese male could make at WC swimming events before Zhang was Jiang Chengji winning the silver at the 2007 WC 200 fly, second to the GOAT.
Braden, thanks for clarification.
ah, the name is Wu Peng, not Jiang Chengji, sorry for my mistake.