Seoul, Korea, November 29, 2020: A young swimmer from Korea has caught the eye of world governing body FINA and Tokyo 2020 as the countdown continues to next year’s Olympic Games.
Hwang Sun-woo, 17, has stormed into the record books and become the fastest junior swimmer in the world, clocking 1.45:92 in the men’s 200m freestyle.
Hwang put on a scintillating performance at the 2020 Korean National Team Trials. The teen not only won both events in which he competed - the men’s 100m and 200m freestyle - but also created history in the process.
He established new national records in the 100m as well as becoming the fastest junior swimmer in the world in the 200m freestyle - with new personal bests in both events.
Hwang’s record of 48.25 in the 100m freestyle broke the previous national record of 48.42, set by Olympic legend Park Tae-hwan six years ago.
What is more outstanding is his result in the 200m freestyle. Although his record of 1:45.92 fell slightly short of the current national record of 1:44.80 - also set by Park - Hwang ranked as the seventh fastest man in Asia of all-time, either senior or junior.
When narrowed down to his age level - 17-18 years - Hwang’s record is even more exceptional as he beat Michael Phelps’ 2003 record of 1:45:99.
After such a successful performance at the National Team Trials, Hwang told the Korea Swimming Federation that he had a bigger goal for the Olympics next year.
"Last year my goal was to compete at Tokyo 2020,” Hwang explained, “but now it is changed to go further, like semi-finals, or the final.”
Source: Tokyo 2020/FINA