Ji Yu-chan takes gold in sensational 50-meter freestyle final

Ji Yu-chan celebrates after finishing the men’s 50-meter freestyle final in first place at Hangzhou Olympic Sports Centre Aquatic Sports Arena in Hangzhou, China on Monday. [YONHAP]

Swimmer Ji Yu-chan finished the men’s 50-meter freestyle final in first place at Hangzhou Olympic Sports Centre Aquatic Sports Arena in Hangzhou, China on Monday, claiming Korea’s first gold in the pool at the Hangzhou Asian Games.

Ji finished the race with a time of 21.72 seconds, with Ian Yentou of Hong Kong coming in second with 21.87 and Pan Zhanle in third with 21.92.

Ji’s record in the final was even faster than what he had managed in the heats earlier in the day, qualifying for the final with 21.84 in first place overall.

His gold was Korea’ first gold in the pool at this year’s Asiad. Countryman Hwang Sun-woo won a bronze in the men’s 100-meter freestyle and Lee Ju-ho also won a bronze in the 100-meter backstroke a day before.

Ji’s gold medal is also Korea’s first Asiad gold medal in the men’s 50-meter freestyle since Kim Min-suk in 2002.

The record Ji managed in the final was not only his personal best, but also Korea’s best and a new tournament record.

Korea may see more medals in the pool Monday, with more races underway later in the night.

Korea is the third-winningest country in Asian Games swimming, having secured nearly 100 medals.

BY PAIK JI-HWAN [paik.jihwan@joongang.co.kr]