World champion Ning Zetao of China is one of 666 swimmers eligible to participate in the 2018 China National Swimming Championships, as confirmed by the Sports Bureau of Rizhao, the China Daily reported.
Ning violated the rules of the Chinese national swimming team in 2016 and was kicked off the national team.
After the 2016 Rio Olympic Games, Ning took some time away from the sport. The following year, he trained with Australian coach Matt Brown and clocked a 47.92 in the 100 free at the National Games of China. He hasn’t competed in a major meet since. Now, Ning has chosen to return to the swimming pool, the China Daily reported.
In 2014, Ning won four gold medals in the Asian Games. In 2015, he claimed the men’s 100 freestyle gold medal at the World Swimming Championships and beat his own Asian record.
His events at nationals are undecided for the meet that will take place from Oct. 13-17.