Incheon, Korea, February 9, 2023: Korea has never won a swimming relay gold at the Asian Games. The country's teen swimming sensation Hwang Sun-woo is determined to change that this year in Hangzhou, China, reports Yonhap News.
Hwang, the 2022 world silver medalist in the 200-meter freestyle, will be the gold medal favourite in his main event at the 19th Asian Games, as well as the 100m freestyle.
In addition to individual glory, the 19-year-old Korean said he would love to make history by winning a relay gold.
"It's hard to pick one medal I'd like to win the most this year," Hwang told reporters at Incheon International Airport before departing for Australia for a training camp.
"I think the Asian Games will be the most important competition this year. And I really want to win the gold medal in the 4x200m relay and do something that has never been done before."
Korea's best relay performance remains the silver medal in the 4x200m freestyle relay at the 1994 Hiroshima Asian Games.
At last year's worlds, Hwang and his teammates finished sixth in the 4x200m relay while setting a national record time of 7:06.93. It was the first appearance in any relay final by Korea at a world championship.
"The Asian Games only come once every four years, and we've been gearing up for the event for quite some time," he said. "We will continue to work hard for the Asian Games and bring home great results."
Hwang will be working out at Miami Swimming Club in Gold Coast under the watchful eyes of coach Richard Scarce.