Pooling its younger resources

Burning Ambition

Two veterans Wang Shun and Xu Jiayu seem rejuvenated, with impressive races at the national trials, to go for medals in the individual medley and backstroke events, respectively.

"I still have the fire burning inside, and I still want to win," said Wang, the oldest member of the team at 31, who won the country's first men's IM Olympic gold in 200m at Tokyo 2020.

On the women's side, a blend of youth and experience is expected to help Team China challenge a super competitive international field in Singapore.

With 43 international medals to her name, including 10 won at the Olympics, butterfly star Zhang Yufei remains the biggest medal hope for China in her signature 100m event.

She will face star sprinter Gretchen Walsh of the United States, who recently refreshed the world record by completing the world's first sub-55 swim in 100m fly, posting a mind-boggling 54.60s to win at the Pro Swim Series in Florida in May.