Teen swimmer makes Games history as Thai, Chinese sprinters win gold

Towering teenager Zhang Zhanshuo became the first swimmer in history to win seven golds at a single Asian Games on Friday, as young Thai and Chinese sprinters powered to victory on the track in the 100m in record times.

China’s Zhang, 19, scorched to the men’s 400m freestyle title in the pool in Tokyo in a Games-record 3min 41.28sec.

He sat on the lane divider after the race and slowly counted off on his fingers all seven gold medals he had won.

Zhang also won individual titles in the 200m, 800m and 1,500m freestyle events, as well as three relays.

He said after wrapping up a scintillating campaign that it had been the “perfect week”.

“I think the most important thing is to stay grounded and focused, because the Asian Games are not my ultimate goal,” said Zhang, who stands 198cm (6ft 6in).

With the Los Angeles Olympics less than two years away, China won 30 of the 42 golds in the pool this week.

Their 13-year-old phenomenon Yu Zidi was the undoubted superstar, taking home three individual golds and all in Games-record times.

Not be outdone, Japan’s 17-year-old Shin Ohashi shattered the men’s 200m breaststroke world record on Thursday.

Swimming, equestrian and diving are taking place in Tokyo, but the city of Nagoya and the wider Aichi prefecture are the main Games host.

The men’s and women’s 100m sprints, the blue riband events in track and field, took place in front of rows of empty seats in Nagoya.

China’s 17-year-old Chen Yujie streaked to a comfortable victory in the women’s final in a Games-record 11.06sec.

Chen turns 18 in December and said: “In China, it’s when we become adults.

“So this is the best present for my birthday, to be on the top of the Asian Games podium.”

The men’s was won by 20-year-old Puripol Boonson, who burst out of the pack in the final quarter of the race to win in 9.90sec, breaking his Games record from earlier in the evening.

It was Thailand’s first men’s 100m gold medal since Suchart Jairsuraparp on home soil at the 1978 Bangkok Games.

China had racked up 98 golds after day six, with Japan a distant second in the overall medals table with 28 gold.

South Korea were third with 13.

Yulo’s miracle

On the last evening of gymnastics, Carlos Yulo won the men’s vault for his second gold of the Games.

The double Olympic champion won floor gold on Thursday to complete his collection of major titles.

“I can’t believe it,” the Filipino said.

“In this whole Asian Games I felt really stressed, but at the same time I enjoyed what I did today. I really did my part.

“Today was really a miracle for me.”

There’s little time to celebrate, however, with the world championships next month.

South Korea edged China 85-80 in the semi-finals of the women’s basketball and will face hosts Japan for gold.

China had their giant centre Zhang Ziyu, 19, but it was not enough.

Zhang stands 223cm (7ft 4in) and scored 22 points.

“She was tough to guard,” said South Korea’s Kang Lee-seul.

“We couldn’t defend her, but we focused on fast breaks and shooting more three-pointers.”

North Korea’s women were again in record-setting form in weightlifting.

Oh Kwang Ok set three world records on her way to women’s 57kg bodyweight class gold.

Oh lifted 104kg in the snatch and 134kg in the clean and jerk for a 238kg total — all world records to add to the two golds North Korea’s women won in the 49kg and 53kg classes this week.

North Korea have won four gold medals and two silvers in the six weightlifting events contested so far.

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Dateline:

Nagoya, Japan

Type of Story: News Service

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