Test of Will proved Yang has the right stuff

William Yang has an Olympic silver medal, he studies Design and Architecture at Sydney University, owns a sports apparel business, and is currently focusing his considerable energies on exploding off the blocks at the upcoming Australian Swimming Team trials and tearing through the water to secure his place at next month’s World Aquatic Championships in Singapore.

Yet, for all of the 26-year-old’s noteworthy achievements, one of his most remarkable was summoning the fighting qualities that allowed him to compete at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games after his preparation was crippled by a tumour in his spinal canal.

When the growth attached itself to some nerves it prevented Yang from walking properly, let alone even be able to think about challenging the likes of Kyle Chalmers, Jack Cartwright, Flynn Southam and Kai Taylor for a place in the Olympic Games blue ribbon event, the 100m freestyle.

After enduring four tough months of rehabilitation from the surgery, the powerfully built freestyler suffered a double whammy when a serious tear in his shoulder sidelined him. With the countdown for the opening ceremony well underway he should’ve been down for the count when he was prescribed another two frustrating months of rest, recovery and treatment.

However, Yang, who insists he doesn’t want his career to be defined by a surgery or an iron-willed fightback from injury, revealed during that time he relied heavily upon his deep reservoir of optimism – a personal trait he acknowledges can be as much as a strength as it is a weakness – to ensure he competed at Paris.

“Adam Kable [NSWIS Head Swimming coach] and I were talking about this a few weeks ago,” said Yang. “He asked what my greatest strength and greatest weaknesses were, and I answered: ‘I’m really optimistic’.

While most patients who require the same surgery normally require five months to recover, Yang was running after just five-and-a-half weeks even though his spine was, clinically, still broken. He believes his recovery was also assisted by his decision to remove all sugar from his diet and to be just as vigilant about his sleep pattern and exercise program.

He was also fuelled by some brutal, home truths.

“There’s been stages in my life where I tried to make a team, but I knew I wasn’t 100 percent [invested],” said Yang. “You know, I might’ve been doing full time university while swimming, or part time ‘uni’ and swimming; or there may have been my businesses or some other extra activities.

“And when I look back, I regret those times because I didn’t give my all . . .  the 100 percent it needed. So, after I had the surgery on my spine, all I thought of was how to make it heal quicker instead of dwelling on the unfortunate things; the health concerns and that it had set me back.

“[After coming back people asked whether you develop toughness or if you’re born with it] and it’s a good question. I’ve thought about it, and I think toughness builds itself over time. I mean, I wasn’t this resilient . . . this tough . . . to begin with. But over the years training, the experiences you have as an athlete, all kick in.

“But I also knew how much it meant to me to go to the Olympics. That ensured I was going to fight as hard as I possibly could.”

A few years before that Yang – photographed above with NSW Premier Chris Minns and NSWIS CEO Kevin Thompson – had a similar epiphany about his dream of becoming a basketball star. A keen ‘b-baller,’ Yang played for ShekMun in Hong Kong when he lived there five-years-ago, he realised he’d do better to invest the hours he was spending on the court into the pool.

“As much as I enjoyed basketball it wasn’t going where I would’ve liked for it to,” he conceded. “And I thought if I converted the time I was studying or playing basketball into more sleep, more recovery, massage, cupping, and doing extra sessions in the water and the gym, I’d definitely improve as a swimmer.

“It excited me because at the time I thought it’d be amazing to see where I can take my potential to.”

Yang said the decision has provided him with rewards that exceed the Olympic silver medal and other prized trophies and moments.

“Swimming has given me more than I could have ever imagined,” he said.  “Beyond the medals and competitions, it has taught me qualities that have shaped every part of my life — resilience, persistence, discipline, and the importance of consistency.

“It’s helped me become a better version of myself, not just in the pool but in business, relationships, and personal growth. I’ve learned to embrace setbacks, focus on daily progress, and always strive for a new personal best.

“While achieving international medals has been a huge honour, it’s really the journey — the everyday grind, pursuit of excellence, the mindset shifts, and the growth — that I’m most proud of.

“That’s what I carry with me every day.”

WILLIAM YANG – FAST FACTS

• Born in Sydney as Yang Xu, William returned to China with his parents when he was four and lived in Guangzhou.
• His father, Yang Qingquan, a successful businessman taught him to swim in China.
• He returned to Sydney when he was 12 – where he became known as William – to finish school at Knox Grammar.
• Yang was drawn to studying Design & Architecture at Sydney University because he liked the creativity.
• He was presented with a Paris Games silver medal for his role as a heat swimmer for the 4 x 100m men’s relay team.
• His silver medal was the 100th Olympic medal won by a NSWIS Scholarship athlete
• Yang finished 15^th overall for the 100m men’s freestyle event in Paris after clocking 48.42 in the semi final.
• He was presented with a silver medal for the 4 x 100m men’s relay at the 2022 World Championships.
• Yang won two relay gold medals at the 2022 Birmingham Commonwealth Games
• He defeated Kyle Chalmers in the final at the 2024 NSW Championships in Sydney.

Daniel Lane, NSWIS