Tokyo:Hwang Sun-woo secured a silver medal in the men's 200-meter freestyle swimming event at the Asian Games, held at the Tokyo Aquatics Centre. Despite a strong start, he was bested by a rising Chinese swimmer.
According to Yonhap News Agency, Hwang clocked a time of 1:44.62, finishing second as he attempted to defend his Asiad title. The gold medal was claimed by 19-year-old Zhang Zhanshuo from China, who set a new Asian record with a time of 1:43.49, surpassing Hwang's previous record of 1:43.92.
Japan's Tatsuya Murasa won the bronze medal with a time of 1:44.81. This silver adds to Hwang's medal tally at this year's Asiad, having already earned bronze medals in the 100m freestyle, men's 4x100m medley relay, and men's 4x200m freestyle relay.
During the race, Hwang led at the 50m, 100m, and 150m marks, but Zhang closed in with each turn. In the final stretch, Zhang accelerated with a last split of 25.96 seconds, overtaking Hwang, who completed the final 50m in 27.28 seconds.
Hwang has completed his individual events in Tokyo but will participate in the men's 4x100m freestyle relay on Friday.