“Setting an Asian record, standing on top of the podium, a perfect Asian Games”
(HANGZHOU = Yonhap News) Hwang Sun-woo (20-Gangwon Provincial Government) dreams of breaking Sun Yang’s (31-China) Asian record in the men’s 200-meter freestyle in Sun Yang’s hometown of Hangzhou.
“I’ve finally arrived in Hangzhou for the Asian Games,” said Huang as he walked through the arrivals hall at Hangzhou Xiaoshan International Airport on Monday. “I’ve competed in the Olympics and World Championships, but this is my first Asian Games. I want to show off my skills on a new stage,” she said.
He also has specific goals.
“I’m aiming for personal bests in the 100 (47.56) and 200 (1:44.42) freestyle,” said Hwang. “Especially in the 200 freestyle, I’m 0.03 seconds away from the Asian record, so I want to stand on the top of the podium with an Asian record.” 바카라사이트
The Asian record in the men’s 200-meter freestyle is 1:44.39, held by Sun Yang.
Hwang Sun-woo won bronze at the 2023 World Championships in Fukuoka in July with a Korean record of 1:44.42. It was his second consecutive World Championships medal (he finished second in Budapest in 2022), and he came within 0.03 seconds of Sun Yang’s record.
When I asked Huang, who only said “breaking the Asian record,” to be more specific, “Wouldn’t it be more meaningful to set the Asian record in Hangzhou, Sun Yang’s hometown?” he smiled meaningfully.
“Sun Yang has made a huge impact on the world of swimming. “My main event is the 200-meter freestyle, and breaking the record in this event has always been my most important goal,” he said. “Setting an Asian record in Hangzhou and winning a gold medal would be a ‘perfect Asian Games’ for me.
Sun Yang is an international swimming star who has won three Olympic gold medals, 11 World Championship gold medals, and nine Asian Games gold medals.
However, she was suspended in 2020 for a doping violation and won’t be able to compete until March 2024. She won’t even be able to compete at the Asian Games in her hometown of Hangzhou.
Instead, rising star Fan Zhanle, 19, from Zhejiang Province, will compete with Hwang in the 100 and 200 meters freestyle.
Fan Zhenle is the favorite in the 100-meter freestyle and Huang Sunwu in the 200-meter freestyle. Fan Zhanle’s best time in the 100-meter freestyle is 47.22, and her best time in the 200-meter freestyle is 1:44.65.
Hwang and Pan will compete for the 100-meter freestyle title on Sept. 24 and the 200-meter title on Sept. 27.
“If I race with Fan Zhanle in good faith, I think I can achieve good results,” said Huang. “The Hangzhou Asian Games hasn’t even started yet, and I’m encouraged by the support of so many fans. If you support me, I will do my best to show you a good performance.”
