Ning Zetao ( or Níng Zétāo; or ; born 6 March 1993) is a Chinese former competitive swimmer. Specializing in the freestyle, he won a gold medal in the 100 metre freestyle at the 2015 World Championships. At the 2014 Asian Games, he won gold medals in the 50 metre freestyle, 4 × 100 metre medley relay, 4 × 100 metre freestyle relay, and 100 metre freestyle, breaking the Asian records in the latter two events. Ning also swam for China at the 2016 Summer Olympics, but failed to proceed to any final at the meet.
On March 6, 2019, Ning announced his retirement from competitive swimming through his Weibo account, on his 26th birthday.
Early life
Ning Zetao was born in Zhengzhou, the capital city of Henan. He is the only child of Ning Feng () and Liu Wenhong (). Ning's father, Ning Feng, served four years in the air force reserve prior to working for a state broadcasting company. His mother, Liu Wenhong, served in the Chinese People's Armed Police Force. Both of his grandfathers also served in the Chinese military.
Ning started swimming at age 8. Before then, he was even afraid of washing his hair. His parents took him to a swimming school to help him overcome his fear of water and to improve his physical health. Local coach Guo Hongyan noticed Ning's quick grasp on learning different strokes and techniques. She persuaded Ning's parents to have him trained under her. At age 11, Ning Zetao became a member of Henan provincial swimming team. At age 14, Ning was accepted to the PLA Navy's swimming team. He started training under Ye Jin, a well-known coach who remains his coach today. Initially, he trained for the 200-meter and 400-meter individual medley races. Because he suffered from chronic bone calcification on his right knee, he switched from individual medley to sprint freestyle.
Following his family's military background, Ning served as a lieutenant in the Chinese Navy.
Ning cites Alexander Popov as his role model.
On March 6, 2019, on his 26th birthday, Ning announced his retirement from competitive swimming on his Weibo. He has stated in interviews that he wishes to study for two years after retirement before deciding what to do for his career. Ning has insisted that he would not be entering the entertainment industry despite huge speculation and interest.
Career
October 2009
At age 16, Ning competed in the 11th Chinese National Games, Shandong, China. He advanced to the 400-meter medley final and finished in 8th place.
April 2011
Ning competed in the Chinese National Swimming Championships, Wuhan, Hubei, China. This was his first time competing in a sprint freestyle event. He advanced to the 100-meter free final and finished 4th with a time of 50.05. Lv Zhiwu from Team Zhejiang finished in first place with a time of 49.46.
April 2013
Ning defeated two-time defending champion Lv Zhiwu at the Chinese National Swimming Championships, Zhengzhou, Henan, China, winning his first national championship in the 100-meter free in his hometown, setting the new national record with a time of 48.60 on April 5, 2013. He also won first place in the 50-meter free with a record time of 22.41 on April 7, 2013. This event marked the beginning of his dominance in sprint freestyle in China.
September 2013
He broke his own record time in the 100-meter free at the 12th Chinese National Games, Shenyang, Liaoning, China, establishing a new Asian record at 48.27 on September 8; the very next day, he continued his record-breaking performance, setting a new Asian record for the 50-meter free at 21.91.
October 2013
In the East Asian Games, Tianjin, China, Ning placed first in both the 100-meter free with a time of 48.41, and the 50-meter free with a time of 22.20 on October 13 and 14, respectively. He also won silver in the 4 × 100-meter free relay. His record-breaking streak earned him a spot in Chinese national swimming team.
At the Chinese National Swimming Championships, Huangshan, Anhui, China on October 26, Ning won a gold medal in 50-meter butterfly with a time of 24.13. Due to a fever, however, he did not compete in any other events.
June 2014
Competing for the Chinese Liberation Army at the 45th CISM World Military Swimming & Lifesaving Championships, Tenero, Switzerland, Ning earned a gold medal in the 100-meter free, setting a new CISM world record at 48.48. He won another gold in the men's 50-meter free. He was not in his best physical state at the games due to a wrist injury sustained a few months prior to the competition.