Titles are not the end for Sun Yang

Sun Yang of China kisses the FINA trophy for best male swimmer at the 15th FINA World Championships in Barcelona, Spain, Aug. 4, 2013. (Xinhua/Wang Lili)

Sun Yang, China's well-known swimmer, has become more confident and natural in the heat of world-class competition. This excellent athlete's devotion has been rewarded by success in the glamour of international rivalry. There can be little doubt that he is steadily growing stronger and becoming one of the most remarkable and respected athletes in China.

This is based not only on the feat of winning three gold medals at the 15th Barcelona world swimming championships. His dominance in the competition and the attention he attracted there have made him a super star.

However, Sun Yang has to look further than these victories in this competition, however notable. How can he continue to improve? Who can provide him with a competitive edge in practice? Sun Yang should not be content with being a top performer – he must go on to become a super-star who can handle every situation.

In response to criticism and dissatisfaction, Sun Yang has been trying to communicate and interact with people who are passionately interested in his performances. He shed tears after winning the Men's 400m Freestyle Final. After taking gold in the Men's 800m Freestyle Final, he put on a T-shirt carrying the slogan: "What can be achieved by devotion?" He also threw mascots into the audience, which contained his parents.

Through these actions, Sun Yang was trying to reveal his devotion and ambition to the public. He clearly believes that he can prove his love for swimming and is trying to eliminate public misunderstanding by winning world championships. However, this belief cannot prove his devotion to the sport. What Sun Yan really needs to prove is his loyalty and commitment to competitive swimming.

To become a world champion, as he has done, requires an immense effort. But Sun Yang still has a long way to go to become the kind of individual who has a broader influence on society.

Special coverage: FINA World Championships 2013