Australian swimmer Will Petric finds Chinese social media fame

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 5 Nov, 22:38 · Archive

Australian swimmer Will Petric became a Chinese social media sensation after giving a post-race interview in Mandarin at the China Open in March.

Australian swimmer Will Petric became a Chinese social media sensation in March after conducting a post-race interview in Mandarin at the China Open. He won the 400m individual medley by nearly seven seconds, then spoke about his love for Shenzhen and how he pushed through fatigue, engaging with Chinese social media audiences who have encouraged him to continue.

Petric, 22, had basic Mandarin knowledge from a Year 9 homestay in Nanjing and decided to attempt the interview despite his limited skills. 'I got a really good reception in the crowd, but also online on Chinese social media,' he said. 'There was quite a lot of engagement online there … they're encouraging me to do it.'

Since then, Petric has put together a career-best season. He won two freestyle relay gold medals and a 400m individual medley silver at the Commonwealth Games. His breakthrough came with a 200m individual medley bronze at the Pan Pacific Championships last August, which led coaching staff to name him one of eight 'platinum athletes' for the inaugural SwimGP in Melbourne.

Petric will lead one of four teams at the SwimGP alongside five-time Olympic champion Kaylee McKeown, with Mollie O'Callaghan and Kyle Chalmers also competing. 'The way I finished off at Pan Pacs with an Australian bronze medal, it finally put me on the scene a little bit,' Petric said.

How it is being reported

• How Aussie swimmer became a Chinese social media starAustralian swimmer Will Petric is out to live up to his top-tier billing at the inaugural SwimGP after becoming an unexpected Chinese social media sensation.The West Australian · 5 Nov, 22:02
• How Aussie swimmer became a Chinese social media starAustralian swimmer Will Petric is out to live up to his top-tier billing at the inaugural SwimGP after becoming an unexpected Chinese social media sensation.Perth Now · 5 Nov, 22:02

In this story: Will Petric · Kaylee McKeown · Mollie O'Callaghan · Kyle Chalmers · China · Shenzhen · Melbourne · Nanjing

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