Kim Young-beom sets Asian Games record in men's 50m freestyle

TOKYO — Kim Young-beom broke a three-year-old Asian Games record in the men's 50-meter freestyle swimming in Tokyo on Monday. Kim won the heats for the men's shortest freestyle race with a time of 21.71 seconds at Tokyo Aquatics Centre, which is hosting all swimming events during the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games. Kim improved the record held by his compatriot, Ji Yu-chan, by 0.01 second. Ji, who won the 2023 Asian Games gold in 21.72, clocked 22.23 seconds Monday to rank third overall in the heats. Both South Koreans will compete in the final set for Monday evening, along with eight others. Kim, who won silver in the 100m freestyle Sunday to begin his Asian Games, said he was happy to see his work pay off. "As soon as I saw the time posted on the scoreboard, I felt that hard work never betrays anyone," the 20-year-old said. "I felt incredible in the first 25m and I reminded myself I had to stay focused and not get ahead of myself over the remaining 25m." Records do not often fall during heats in swimming, with athletes saving themselves for finals scheduled for later in the day. Kim said the