Became the first swimmer in history to win all three breaststroke events at World Championships. Aged 24, he had never won a medal at a major long course event, but he swept to a 50, 100, 200 metres treble in Fukuoka. His win in the 200m dethroned defending world and Olympic champion Zac Stubblety-Cook in a new world record time. He set new Asian records for each event. He also won a fourth gold medal in the 4 x 100m mixed relay and silver in the 4 x 100 m relay. Qin became the first Asian to be named as the Male Swimmer of the Year by World Aquatics.
