Chinese Internet darling Fu Yuanhui is a hoot poolside at the Asian Games

JAKARTA — There was something funny going on poolside at the Gelora Bung Karno Aquatics Centre, and it was Fu Yuanhui, the Chinese swimmer who took social media by storm two years ago at the Rio Olympics. She had captured the hearts of millions of fans in China and worldwide then with her hilarious facial expressions and funny remarks.

A breath of fresh air among the often cookie-cutter Chinese elite swimmers, Fu was holding court among the Chinese reporters after her 50m backstroke final, drawing guffaws as she compared herself with one of the Games' mascots, "Atung" the deer. The two other mascots are "Bhin Bhin", a bird of paradise, and rhinoceros "Kaka".

"Of the three mascots, I like this (Atung) the most," she told reporters. "When I came here, I said that this is most like me. Tomorrow, if I win another medal, I might get the (plush) bird!"

In person, Fu does not seem as awkwardly goofy as the viral video in which she starred, where she told a reporter from Chinese broadcaster CCTV5 that she had used up all of her "prehistoric power" to win the 100m backstroke bronze in Brazil. Videos of the interview, which chalked up millions of views online, made the swimmer an instant hit, and she now has more than 3.5 million followers on Chinese microblogging website Weibo — up from about 100,000 before the Olympics.

She told TODAY in an interview on Tuesday (Aug 21) that she is older and "more mature and steady" now, and insisted that things have not changed for her despite her popularity. She has appeared in television talk shows and numerous media interviews since 2016.

Agreeing readily to a chat, Fu nodded at each question, and her replies to an unfamiliar face were careful and considered, as she said in Mandarin: "I'm still the same person, and not much has changed for me since the Rio Olympics, and that hasn't affected me or my life.

"My friends do not treat me any differently and they really don't care how famous I am, or what my image is like outside of China."

Just when it seemed like she was not going to show her funny, lighter side, her face lit up with a grin when asked if she was tamer now than she was before.

"That time, I was so crazy because I was just so happy. But if I'm happy here at the Asian Games… if I swim well here... I might be like that again. I'm happy as long as I swim well."

The Chinese swimmer, who won gold in the 50m and 100m backstroke at the 2014 Asian Games, took home the silver in the 50m back on Tuesday after clocking 27.68sec in the final.

While the two-time world champion was beaten to gold by countrywoman Liu Xiang — who set a new World record time of 26.98sec to become the first woman to go under 27sec in the event — Fu was smiling during the victory ceremony.

Liu bettered the previous best of 27.06sec set by China's Zhao Jing in 2009 using a high-tech swimsuit, which was later banned from use by the world governing body for aquatics, Fina.

Fu told reporters: "I'm very happy for her because this World record belongs to China, and to have someone from my generation of swimmers get this is a great achievement."

In April, Fu caught fans by surprise when she said that she would consider retiring if she could not continue to do well in her backstroke events. In recent months, she has been struggling with a left shoulder injury.

But the swimmer's career appears to be back on track with her silver medal performance at the Asian Games. She will also be aiming to defend her 100m backstroke gold in Jakarta on Wednesday when she competes in the morning's heats ahead of the final at 8.15pm.

Even as the mood poolside turned serious with talk of world records and medals, Fu still found time to joke with reporters. When asked about the paper-bag of mooncakes she was carrying, she replied: "Will you pretend you didn't see this? I'll get a scolding if my coach notices this… don't tell on me, okay?"