Japan's 17-year-old Shin Ohashi broke the men's 200m breaststroke world record with a time of 2min 4.83sec at the Asian Games in Tokyo, claiming his second gold of the competition.
Key facts
- Shin Ohashi, 17, set a new 200m breaststroke world record of 2min 4.83sec.
- The record came at the Asian Games in Tokyo, in front of a home crowd.
- It was Ohashi's second gold medal of the Games.
- He recently had Covid and ran a fever of about 39C days before competing.
- Ohashi said the bout of Covid helped him rest and 'was a good thing'.
Japanese teenager Shin Ohashi broke the men’s 200m breaststroke world record at the Asian Games in Tokyo on Thursday, touching the wall in a time of 2min 4.83sec.
The 17-year-old claimed his second gold of the Games with the record-breaking swim, delivered in front of a thrilled home crowd, according to Al Jazeera.
Ohashi’s achievement was made more remarkable by his recent health struggles. The Guardian reported that he ran a temperature of about 39C just days before the competition began, having been affected by Covid.
Rather than viewing the illness as a setback, Ohashi suggested it had worked in his favour. He said the bout of Covid helped him rest and ‘was a good thing’, according to The Guardian.
The victory caps a standout performance for the young swimmer at the Games, where he had already secured one gold medal before the record-breaking breaststroke final.
Why it matters
World records in swimming are rare milestones, and setting one at 17 marks Ohashi as a major emerging talent in the sport. Achieving it on home soil and shortly after illness adds to the significance of the performance for Japanese swimming.
Frequently asked questions
What time did Shin Ohashi swim to break the world record?
Ohashi swam the 200m breaststroke in 2min 4.83sec, a new men's world record, according to The Guardian.
How old is Shin Ohashi?
Shin Ohashi is 17 years old.
Was Ohashi unwell before the race?
Yes. According to The Guardian, he had Covid and ran a temperature of about 39C just days before the competition began, but he said the illness helped him rest.