The two-time Paralympic men’s 100 metre backstroke S6 gold medallist, winning the titles at the 2012 and 2016 Games, came to the world’s attention due to his skills in the water, despite having no arms.

However, after retaining his Paralympic crown in Rio, the swimmer has said the preparation left him exhausted and he will take a different approach this year.

“I don’t want to ever swim and train to win again,” the 25-year-old said.

“I only want to swim for the pleasure of swimming.

“So, I’m not going to train regularly next year.”

In the build-up to the Rio 2016 Games, Zheng’s coach devised a six-days training schedule which saw him in the water for 30 hours a week.

But he admitted during that time, he found it difficult to concentrate.

“For two years, between 2013 and 2014, I was not really training,” Zheng said.

“I would swim for one day and take a week off.

“I hated training.”

Despite his more relaxed approach to training, Zheng will still be available for the World Para Swimming Championships due to take place in Mexico City between September 30 and October 7, if the Chinese selectors pick him.

Alongside his two Paralympic golds, Zheng has also won a silver medal from the 50m butterfly in Rio and two bronzes, 50m freestyle and 200m individual medley, from London.

He also broke his own world record when winning the 100m backstroke gold in Rio, setting a new mark of 1 minute 10.84sec.