On November 12, 2025, during the men’s 200-meter freestyle final at the National Games, Sun Yang was disqualified (DSQ) for a false start after leaving the block before the starter’s gun. He later explained that the starting rhythm differed from that of the previous two days’ races, leading to a misjudgment of timing, while discomfort in his fingers might also have affected his focus. Ultimately, Zhang Zhanshuo won the gold medal with a time of 1:44.86, breaking the national youth record. Ji Xinjie and Pan Zhanle took silver and bronze respectively. Sun Yang, who originally placed eighth, lost his result due to the violation — a setback in his comeback journey.

2025年11月12日，在全运会男子200米自由泳决赛中，孙杨因抢跳（发令枪响前起跳）被判犯规，成绩被取消（标记为DSQ）。他赛后解释称，发令枪节奏与前两日比赛存在差异，导致误判起跳时机，同时手指不适可能影响了状态和专注度。最终，张展硕以 1分44秒86 的成绩夺冠，并打破全国青年纪录；季新杰和潘展乐分获亚军和季军。孙杨原本位列第八，因犯规失去排名资格，这一结果成为他复出征程中的一次波折。

Despite the error, Sun Yang displayed honesty and determination to adjust. He admitted that the false start “disrupted his rhythm and focus,” but stated that his mindset remained steady. His next goal, he said, was to contribute to Zhejiang’s team events such as relays. After the race, he proactively congratulated Zhang Zhanshuo and Pan Zhanle, praising them by saying, “These young guys will surpass us.” His gesture embodied the spirit of passing the torch in Chinese swimming. The 34-year-old also dismissed doubts about his age, asserting, “We are not old — we’re still competing on the same stage as the new generation,” and emphasized that returning to the final within a year of his comeback was proof of perseverance.

面对失误，孙杨展现出坦诚与调整的决心。 他承认抢跳“打乱了自身状态和节奏”，但表示心态未受重大影响，并明确下一个目标是为浙江队的集体项目（如接力赛）贡献力量。赛后，他主动与冠军张展硕、季军潘展乐握手，称赞“这些孩子会比我们更好”，传递了薪火相传的体育精神。此外，34岁的他驳斥了关于年龄的质疑，强调“我们没有老，依然和新生代选手站在同一赛场上”，并指出复出不足一年能重返决赛已是坚持的证明。



Many spectators cheered “Sun Yang” in admiration of his persistence, while media outlets praised him for “defying nature with faith.” Netizens largely viewed the false start as a result of passion and tension rather than carelessness, applauding his courage to return. However, some critics argued that such an “elementary mistake” was unacceptable and suggested that he consider retirement. Historically, Sun Yang also had a false start during the 2012 London Olympics 1500m freestyle final, but due to crowd noise, it was not penalized and he went on to win gold. This latest event, by contrast, highlighted the stricter enforcement of rules in today’s competitions. Despite the setback, Sun Yang remains the Asian record holder in the 200m freestyle and the only swimmer to have won Olympic golds from 200m to 1500m freestyle.

多数观众现场高呼“孙杨”致敬其坚持，媒体赞其“用信念对抗自然规律”，网友也认为失误源于“对泳池的热爱与紧张”，肯定其复出勇气。然而，少数声音质疑“低级失误不该发生”，认为状态下滑应退役。从历史对照来看，2012年伦敦奥运会1500米自由泳决赛中，孙杨也曾抢跳，但因现场噪音未被判罚并最终夺冠，而本次事件则凸显了规则执行的严格性。尽管如此，孙杨仍是200米自由泳亚洲纪录保持者，且是唯一横跨200-1500米自由泳的奥运三金王。



Looking ahead, Sun Yang has shifted his focus toward team events, aiming to inspire younger swimmers through experience and to strengthen his start technique and mental composure. His swift self-reflection, willingness to face mistakes, and unwavering dedication to swimming are seen as hallmarks of true sportsmanship — values that transcend victory or defeat. His persistence, alongside the breakthroughs of rising talents like Zhang Zhanshuo, together paint a vivid picture of the passing torch and renewal within Chinese swimming.

展望未来，孙杨明确将目标转向集体项目，希望通过经验激励年轻选手，并加强出发环节训练及心理调整。 他的迅速调整态度、直面失误的坦诚，以及对游泳事业的执着，均被视作超越胜负的体育精神典范。这种精神不仅体现在他个人的复出历程中，也为中国游泳注入了新的活力。新生代选手的突破（如张展硕破纪录）与孙杨的坚持，共同构成了中国游泳薪火相传的图景。

Although Sun Yang’s disqualification invalidated his result, his response reflected the poise of a veteran: acknowledging the error, rejecting the notion of decline, and emphasizing team responsibility. This episode not only revealed the unforgiving nature of competitive sports but also underscored the resilience of athletes who rise after setbacks. Whether through the emergence of new talents or the endurance of seasoned champions, both are vital forces driving the future of Chinese swimming. Sun Yang’s story once again proves that the essence of sports lies not only in triumph, but in the attitude and action with which one faces defeat.

孙杨的抢跳犯规虽导致成绩无效，但其回应展现了老将的格局：承认失误、驳斥“迟暮论”、聚焦团队责任。 此次事件不仅反映了竞技体育的残酷性，也凸显了运动员在挫折中的坚守精神。无论是新生代选手的崛起，还是老将的坚持，都为中国游泳的未来发展提供了强大动力。孙杨的经历再次证明，体育精神不仅在于胜利，更在于面对失败时的态度与行动。

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