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Beijing. China’s Wu Peng, the man who ended nearly a decade of domination by Michael Phelps in the 200-meter butterfly, said a change in his training regimen and a strong season had given him the confidence to aim for a medal at next year’s London Olympics.

Wu’s successful season included two victories over 14-time Olympic champion Phelps, ending the American’s 60-race winning streak in the 200-meter which had spanned nine years.

But a repeat victory over Phelps in London would be difficult, he said.

“I have to say he has a stronger ability than most of the other swimmers, so it is very difficult to beat him,” Wu said. “But I still have confidence not just to aim to beat him, but to basically perform to the best of my ability.”

Wu made his Olympic debut at the 2004 Athens Games at the age of 17, progressing to the final stages of competition in the 200-meter butterfly. He again missed out on a medal at the Beijing Games in 2008, where he tied for fourth.

“London might be the last time I participate in the Olympics,” he said. “In the past two Olympics, I have reached the finals. I hope to improve on that in London and be among the medallists.”

A native of Hangzhou, Wu said leaving China to train in Michigan in the United States had helped him to improve.

The move also eased pressure on the swimmer, who had carried China’s hopes for Olympic success in the pool at the Beijing Games.

“After I return to the US next year, I want to work harder on the details and hope for a good performance in the Olympics,” he said.

Wu said fellow swimmers could learn from the attempted comeback of Australia’s Ian Thorpe, a five-time Olympic champion. After retiring from competitive swimming in 2006 Thorpe returned this season. So far, however, he has had little success, dampening expectations of a fairy-tale comeback ahead of the Olympics in London.

“I feel that it is not easy for him,” Wu said. “As age catches up with him and as the sport of swimming develops, I feel it has not been easy for him to make this decision. He is someone whom a lot of us can learn from.”

Reuters