Japanese teenager Shin Ohashi set a new men’s 200m breaststroke world record at the Asian Games in Tokyo on Thursday, clocking a time of 2 minutes 4.83 seconds. The 17-year-old shaved more than half a second off the previous record of 2:05.48 set by China’s Qin Haiyang in July 2023 at the World Championships in Fukuoka, Japan. Ohashi’s performance secured his second gold medal at the Games, further establishing him as a leading contender for the upcoming Los Angeles Olympics in 2028.

Ohashi, who battled a high fever of approximately 39 degrees Celsius caused by Covid-19 just days before the competition, described his illness as a mixed experience. Although the illness posed mental challenges, he credited it with forcing him to rest adequately, which he believes contributed positively to his performance. He took control of the race from the start, finishing 3.84 seconds ahead of silver medallist Denis Petrashov of Kyrgyzstan. South Korea’s Cho Sung-jae claimed bronze with a time of 2:08.76. Notably, Qin Haiyang, the previous world record holder, did not compete in the 200m breaststroke at these Games.

Earlier in the week, Ohashi had shared the gold in the 100m breaststroke following a dead heat with China’s Dong Zhihao. He is set to compete in the 50m breaststroke later in the event, aiming for a third gold medal. Reflecting on his rapid rise in swimming, Ohashi expressed his ambition to continue breaking records and winning major titles. He identified next year’s World Championships and the 2028 Olympics as key goals and emphasized his desire to relive the emotions associated with victory.

Observers have drawn comparisons between Ohashi and Japanese breaststroke legend Kosuke Kitajima, who secured back-to-back Olympic doubles in the 100m and 200m breaststroke in 2004 and 2008. While Ohashi acknowledged Kitajima’s achievements as aspirational, he said he admires all swimmers equally and views each competitor as a source of learning.

Ohashi’s breakthrough performance at the Asian Games underscores a new chapter in the sport’s competitive landscape, positioning the Japanese teenager as a prominent figure to watch on the world stage over the next Olympic cycle.