Chinese swimmer Wang Shun shows off his gold medal after winning the men's 200m individual medley final at the Tokyo Olympics in Tokyo, Japan, July 30, 2021. /CFP
Chinese swimmer Wang Shun broke the Asian record to top the podium in the men's 200m individual medley at the Tokyo Olympics on Friday. It is China's third gold medal at the Tokyo Aquatics Center after winning the women's 200m butterfly and 4x200m freestyle relay finals a day earlier.
As the fastest qualifier, Wang continued his red-hot streak of winning form in the final and edged Britain's Duncan Scott with a time of 1 minute, 55.00 seconds. Scott touched in 1:55.28, while Switzerland's Jeremy Desplanches took the bronze in 1:56.17.
Japan's defending world champion Daiya Seto, who suffered a shock exit in the 400m individual medley qualifying earlier this week, had another crushing blow after finishing only fourth.
Chinese swimmer Wang Shun in action during the men's 200m individual medley final at the Tokyo Olympics in Tokyo, Japan, July 30, 2021. /CFP
Wang, however, made good on his pre-tournament promise to win the gold, becoming the event's first new Olympic champion in 21 years after the retirement of four-time winner Michael Phelps from the United States.
The American legend, who was one of the most decorated Olympians of all time, had dominated the pool for over nearly two decade by winning four consecutive 200m medley title. The time has come to witness a changing of the guard.
"I'm thrilled to win the gold, " Wang told China Media Group after the race. "I feel so incredible and it seems like a dream."
"I would like to acknowledge my debt to our country, who provides us with a fantastic training environment despite the challenging circumstances amid the pandemic. I also want to thank my coach Zhu Zhigen and the team doctor, who really helped me a lot.
Wang Shun raises his arms after breaking the Asian record in the men's 200m individual medley event at the Tokyo Olympics in Japan, July 30, 2021. /CFP
"This time in Tokyo, I just focused on myself, no matter who my opponent was. I think I made it and I enjoyed the competition," added the 27-year-old, who won a bronze medal at Rio 2016.
Meanwhile, Russian Olympic Committee's two-time world champion Evgeny Rylov claimed the Olympic backstroke double by winning the 200m gold medal to go with his 100m title. He touched in a new Olympic record time of 1:53.27 ahead of American defending champion Ryan Murphy and Britain's Luke Greenbank.
