Arizona Tribune - Chinese swimmers Zhang and Qin named Asian Games MVPs

The multi-sports event usually names just one most valuable player, but this time there were separate men's and women's awards.

Olympic champion Zhang collected a leading six gold medals after winning the 50, 100 and 200m butterfly, 50m freestyle and two relays.

"It's a great honour," said Zhang via video-link from Berlin, where she is preparing for a World Cup meeting.

"It was a memorable experience and this is a new milestone for me as an athlete.

"It will leave a lasting mark in my memory and boost my confidence to work harder for the Paris Olympics."

Qin, who claimed an unprecedented 50-100-200m breaststroke hat-trick at the world championships in Fukuoka in July, repeated the feat on home soil.

He also won two relay gold and a 200m medley silver.

"It wasn't in my plan before the Games to be MVP, I just wanted to makes personal breakthroughs," said Qin, who is also in Germany.

"My performance was great, but I aim to hopefully reach new heights in Paris next year."

W.Moreno--AT