Responses

Yes, he did joing because he wanted that title to be for his hyung.
But he wants to retire because he is sick of people, the federation, national team. He was only doing it because he likes swimming and because MC told him to aim for all those things, so he did it, he accomplish them, he dosen't have more ambitions. Of course that will change thanks to MC and other incident.
Why do i think the reason he didnt join the national championship when he was 16 bcs he didnt want the MC's achievement to be surpassed/forgotten? And the reason he wanted to quit early might be related to MC too since MC quit around that age i assumed?
Or mybe this is just overthinking from my side hahahah but whatever it is. The story is still good (▰˘◡˘▰)