Gold medallist China's Xu Jiayu celebrates during the victory ceremony for the men’s 200m backstroke swimming event during the 2018 Asian Games in Jakarta on Aug 23, 2018. (MARTIN BUREAU / AFP)

SHENZHEN - Two-time world champion Xu Jiayu expects a tough battle in the men's 100m backstroke with about eight close rivals at the FINA Champion Swim Series second leg in Beijing during Jan 18-19.

Xu finished with two victories in the 100m and 50m backstroke in Shenzhen.

All of us have a chance to win the title. It is not only a physical battle, but a psychological one. I hope I can be better prepared and improve in every respect in this competition

Xu Jiayu

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"I seldom had competitions in January, at this early stage of the year. Only when I was young. I guess most of the swimmers are in their winter training period and will leave their best form to the Tokyo Olympic Games. So, we may not smash the world records, but we will surely try to make a good start of the year, " said Xu.

"I enjoy the competition format with the best swimmers in the world! It is great to have them in one race except the World Championships and Olympic Games."

"All of us have a chance to win the title. It is not only a physical battle, but a psychological one. I hope I can be better prepared and improve in every respect in this competition," Xu said.

Xu says he is always nervous before the competition, and cannot eat or sleep well. "It is a good sign for me. I guess everyone is the same. The one who can overcome the nerves and perform the best is the champion. I want to be the champion. I enjoy to feeling of the breath-taking moments, competing with the strongest swimmers."

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Ahead of the Tokyo Olympic Games, Xu says he is now a more experienced and confident swimmer.

"It is my second Olympics, I am tougher and stronger than before. My goal is to complete a grand-slam feat, with gold medals from the World Championships, short-course worlds and Olympic Games. I need two more steps to go," said the 24-year-old.

Xu Jiayu of China celebrates after winning the gold medal of Men's 100m Backstroke Final in the 18th Asian Games in Jakarta, Indonesia, Aug 19, 2018. (FEI MAOHUA / XINHUA)

Gold medalist Xu Jiayu of China competes during the men's 100m backstroke final at the Gwangju 2019 FINA World Championships in Gwangju, South Korea, July 23, 2019. (XIA YIFANG / XINHUA)