Swimmer Hwang Sun-woo set a new Asian record in the men's 200-meter freestyle at a national competition.
Hwang clocked in 1:43:92 for the gold at the National Sports Festival at Sajik Indoor Swimming Pool at Busan Sports Complex in the southeastern city of Busan on Monday, renewing his previous personal best and the South Korean national record of 1:44.40 set in 2023.
He also beat the Asian record of 1:44.39, set by Chinese Olympic medalist Sun Yang.
Lee Ho-joon finished second in 1:47.72.
It is Hwang's fourth consecutive 200m freestyle title at the National Sports Festival.
Hwang is one of the most coveted swimmers in South Korea, winning multiple medals at the world championships. He finished first in the 200m freestyle at the 2024 worlds.
"This is one of the happiest moments of my life," Hwang said during a press conference. "Throughout my swimming career, I have tried to pierce the 1:44 threshold in the 200m freestyle. I finally made it."
He showed tears after the race and on the podium, a rare emotional expression for the 22-year-old temperate swimmer.
"Today, memories of all the hard times came flooding back, and tears just kept flowing," he said, reflecting on the challenging recent past.
He failed to hit the podium at this year's World Championships and at the 2024 Paris Summer Olympics. (Yonhap)
