Sun Yang wins 10 golds, 1 bronze at National Games

Olympic gold medalist Sun Yang of Zhejiang Province reacts after winning gold in the Men’s 400m Freestyle event during the 12th National China Games in Shenyang, Liaoning Province on September 4, 2013. (Getty Images)

Remember how the medal tally system at China’s National Games is ridiculous, with certain performances from nearly four years ago being converted into medals that actually count at this event? Well, this is what happens. According to the official rules for counting medals, swimming star Sun Yang has won 11 medals for Zhejiang, 10 of them gold. Here’s how:

1 and 2 – 400m win at 2012 London Olympic Games (converted into 2 National Games golds)

3 and 4 – 1,500m win at 2012 London Olympic Games (converted into 2 National Games golds)

5 – World record in 1,500m at 2012 London Olympic Games (converted into 1 National Games gold)

6, 7, 8, 9 and 10 – Wins in the 200m, 400, 1,500m, 4x100m free relay and 4x200m free relay (these races actually took place in Shenyang over the last week)

Total: 10 gold medals

He also tried his hand at the 100m, but came in third, winning a bronze medal for a total of 11. Not surprisingly, he was named Swimmer of the Meet.

Although this system is clearly a joke, it shouldn’t detract from how dominant Sun Yang is right now. In the 400m, for example, his time was a couple of seconds slower than his winning time at this year’s World Championships, but it was still quick enough to be the second fastest time in the world this year. If he can carry that form into the 200m, it could set up a mouth-watering clash with Ryan Lochte in the future.