Tokyo: The swimming competition of the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games is set to commence on Sunday in Tokyo, with South Korea aiming to replicate its impressive performance from three years ago.
According to Yonhap News Agency, at the 2023 Hangzhou Asian Games, South Korea achieved a record-breaking haul of 22 medals, including six golds. Key contributors to this success were Kim Woo-min and Hwang Sun-woo, who collectively earned 10 medals, with Kim securing three golds and Hwang two. Both athletes are returning to the Tokyo Aquatics Centre, with Kim defending his titles in the 400-meter and 800-meter freestyle, and Hwang aiming to reclaim his 2023 gold in the 200m freestyle. The pair previously teamed up to win the 4x200m freestyle relay title.
Ji Yu-chan, who was an unexpected champion in the men's 50m freestyle, will also seek to defend his title. New talents such as Kim Young-beom and debutant Kim Seung-won are anticipated to bring fresh excitement, with Kim Young-beom participating in the men's events and 16-year-old Kim Seung-won making her debut in the women's category.
Alongside South Korea, China and Japan are strong contenders in the Asian Games swimming events. In the men's freestyle races, 19-year-old Zhang Zhanshu of China is considered a rising star, challenging Kim and Hwang in the 200m, 400m, and 800m events. Japan's Tatsuya Murata, also 19, is a formidable competitor, having previously outpaced Hwang for the bronze at the 2025 world championships with a Japanese national record.
The competition will conclude on Friday, with South Korea poised to potentially secure a medal each day. Hwang and Kim Young-beom are scheduled to compete in the 100m freestyle on Sunday, followed by Ji and Kim in the 50m freestyle on Monday. The men's 4x200m freestyle relay will also take place on Monday. The week may culminate in a significant medal haul for South Korea, with Kim Woo-min aiming for a consecutive gold in the 400m freestyle and Lee Ju-ho striving for his first gold in the 200m backstroke. The women's 4x100m medley relay team will aim for a winning performance to close the event.