Asian Games: Zhao Jing, Tae Hwan Park Set Asian Records on Day Two

GUANGZHOU, China, November 14. WITH just two days in the books at the Asian Games, several long course Asian records have taken a tumble in Guangzhou. This evening, a pair of continental standards fell.

China's Zhao Jing, a day after becoming the first woman under 59 seconds in a textile suit in the women's 100 back, broke the Asian record in the women's 200 back with a sterling 2:06.46. That effort cleared Reiko Nakamura's previous record of 2:07.13 set at the 2008 Olympics in Beijing. Zhao improved to fifth on the all-time list, and earned her second textile-best time, eclipsing the previous best in a textile of 2:06.62 clocked by Krisztina Egerszegi back in 1991.

Japan's Shiho Sakai took second this evening in 2:07.81, while teammate Aya Terakawa turned in a 2:09.72 for third-place honors. Sakai improved her sixth-ranked season best of 2:07.99 to move to fifth in the world this year.

South Korea's Tae Hwan Park lowered his Asian record in the men's 200 free with a blazing fast time of 1:44.80. That swim clipped his previous mark of 1:44.85 set at the 2008 Olympics, and finished well atop the world rankings this year. Ryan Lochte had owned the top time in the world with a 1:45.30 from Pan Pacs in August. Park's performance this evening stands 18th in the all-time lists.

China's Sun Yang finished second overall in 1:46.25 to move to sixth in the world rankings, while Japan's Takeshi Matsuda picked up his second podium of the meet with a 1:47.73 for bronze. China's Zhang Lin finished outside of the podium with a fourth-place 1:48.10.

Recent breakout star Ye Shiwen nabbed the women's 400 IM title in 4:33.79 to move to second in the world rankings, and 10th on the all-time list, in the distance medley event. That swim also ranks 19th on the all-time performances list as well. Li Xuanxu finished second in the event in 4:38.05, well off her previously third-ranked season best of 4:34.59 from Chinese Nationals in April. Meanwhile, Taipei's Cheng Wanjung finished third overall in 4:41.55 to move to 22nd in the world rankings.

China's Zhou Jiawei won the men's 100 fly in a time of 51.83 to move to seventh in the world rankings. His previous best this year had been a 17th-ranked 52.34 from Chinese Nationals in August. Japan's Takuro Fujii earned silver in 51.85, clearing his previously seventh-ranked season best of 51.94 from Japan Nationals in April. China's Wu Peng rounded out the podium in 52.72.

China's Xie Zhi topped the men's 50 breast event with a 27.80 for the win. That swim moved him to 24th in the world rankings. Japan's Ryo Tateishi took second in 27.86, while China's Li Xiayan placed third in 27.89.

China closed out the night with a winning time in the women's 400 freestyle relay. Li Zhesi, Wang Shijia, Zhu Qianwei and Tang Yi won in 3:36.88, while Japan's Haruka Ueda, Yayoi Matsumoto, Tomoko Hagiwara and Hanae Ito finished second in 3:37.90.

Name*

Email*

Welcome to our community. We invite you to join our discussion. Our community guidelines are simple: be respectful and constructive, keep on topic, and support your fellow commenters. Commenting signifies that you agree to our Terms of Use