(LEAD) (Asiad) Hwang Sun-woo wins silver in men's 200m freestyle swimming
(ATTN: CHANGES photo, ADDS details at bottom; RECASTS lead)
By Yoo Jee-ho
TOKYO, Sept. 23 (Yonhap) -- Hwang Sun-woo won silver in the men's 200-meter freestyle swimming race at the Asian Games on Wednesday, unable to repeat as the continental champion with a Chinese teen sensation stealing his thunder.
Hwang Sun-woo of South Korea reacts after taking silver in the men's 200-meter freestyle swimming race at the Asian Games at Tokyo Aquatics Centre in Tokyo on Sept. 23, 2026. (Yonhap)
Hwang clocked 1:44.62 to finish second in his Asiad title defense at Tokyo Aquatics Centre in the Japanese capital. Zhang Zhanshuo of China, 19, won gold in 1:43.49, breaking Hwang's 11-month-old Asian record of 1:43.92 in the process.
Tatsuya Murasa of Japan earned bronze with 1:44.81.
This is Hwang's fourth medal of this year's Asiad. He took bronze medals in the 100m freestyle, men's 4x100m medley relay and men's 4x200m freestyle relay earlier in the competition.
Hwang led the race after the 50m, 100m and 150m marks, with Zhang narrowing the gap at each turn. Then over the home stretch, the Chinese found a new gear and blew past Hwang with a final split of 25.96 seconds.
Hwang, on the other hand, covered the final 50m in 27.28 seconds.
Hwang is done with his individual races in Tokyo. He will compete in the men's 4x100m freestyle relay Friday.
Hwang Sun-woo of South Korea competes in the men's 200-meter freestyle swimming final at the Asian Games at Tokyo Aquatics Centre in Tokyo on Sept. 23, 2026. (Yonhap)
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