1m76X new record paper Yoo Chan, the first world No. 7 in freestyle 50m history! I just want to win!Better record for next year's game!

Aug 03, 2025

'Freestyle Racer' Ji Yoo-chan (22, Daegu City Hall) ranked 7th in the world, the highest ever in Korean swimming 50m freestyle.

Ji Yoo-chan hit the touchpad for the seventh time out of eight with 21.71 seconds in the men's 50m freestyle final at the 2025 World Championship Arena in Singapore on the 2nd (Korea time).

Cameron Mackaboy (Australia), the gold medalist at the Paris Olympics, ranked first with 21.14 seconds, Benjamin Proud (UK) ranked second with 21.26 seconds, and Jack Alexi (US) ranked third with 21.46 seconds.

Although Ji did not make it to the podium, Ji Yoo-chan's journey is a great new history of Korean and Asian swimming. Ji Yoo-chan recorded 21.77 seconds in the semifinals, tied for 8th place with the same record as Meiron Amir Cheruti of Israel, and even played the swim-off to determine the finalist. In one of the two, Ji Yoo-chan showed his fighting spirit without regret in a desperate match. Along with a new Korean record of 21.66 seconds and an Asian record, he became the first Korean athlete to run in the 50m freestyle final. He reduced his Korean record (21.72 seconds) set at the 2023 Hangzhou Asian Games gold medal by 0.06 seconds, and reduced his Asian record (21.67 seconds) set by Shiora Shinri of Japan by 0.01 seconds. Ji Yoo-chan, who is 1m 76m, was the only Asian athlete among the eight finalists in the battleground, where as many as 116 swimming aces from around the world participated to demand absolute physicality. I wasn't satisfied with the initial run-off. Ji Yoo-chan, who reached the final in eighth place after a sweep-off, raised one gear ranking after a reverse shot to finish the competition in seventh place. He showed his growth in every competition and every race. He overcame his physical weaknesses with effort and skill, natural 'Power Zone'Core, and strong mentality.

After the game, Ji Yoo-chan said through his management company All That Sports "I wanted to show a good finish as I came up to the final with difficulty."It's regrettable, but I'm glad that I could finish it with a good record."

The record was shortened every time until the sweep-off, and not only Korean records but also Asian records were set. "It helped me to shorten the record by playing confidently in every game, and I think it was better to play with the intention of winning unconditionally than to think that it was difficult."This season's major championships are over, but there are many big competitions left, including next year's Asian Games. He said, "My goal is to break my record with a better record than now and make the final stage every time."

This article was translated by Naver AI translator.