The question of whether Chinese swimming ace Ning Zetao could return to dominate the 2020 Tokyo Olympics got a definitive answer on Wednesday when he officially announced his retirement on his 26th birthday. "I will say goodbye to the swimming pool in order to start a brand-new life," Ning said on Chinese social media platform Weibo." I did not fear the past and I do not fear the future. I'll keep chasing the beauty of life and accept all the regrets. I want to thank everyone, especially my fans. Hope you all can find the most beautiful happiness on your life trajectory. The way to success is never easy. Push yourself and do not settle." The retirement announcement shocked fans who believed Ning, who became Asia's first world champion in the men's 100m freestyle at the 2015 FINA World Championships in Kazan, Russia, still has what it takes to compete against the world's best. Ning's absence from last year's Asian Games in Jakarta was in sharp contrast to his career-changing effort at the 2014 Asia Games in South Korea, where he shot to fame after winning four freestyle gold medals. After Kazan, he became a national favorite in both the sports and entertainment sectors, attracting sponsors, TV producers and even fashion show organizers anxious to connect their brands to him. However, this series of distractions prevented Ning from concentrating on training and competition. Over his disagreement with the sport's governing body, Ning returned to Henan Province in early 2017 to train without much funding or logistical support, but he stayed motivated and proved at the 2017 National Games that he was still the best sprinter in the country, winning two golds. Now that Ning's swimming career is over, many are wondering if he will pursue a career in entertainment, although he has previously stated that was not an option. Ning told NetEase Sports that he planned to take a break for a while and then head back to school.