[Asian Games] Swimming champion determined to keep pursuing bigger goals
TOKYO — Throughout his nine-minute interview after winning his first Asian Games gold medal on Monday, swimmer Kim Young-beom, the men's 50-meter freestyle champion, kept touching and cradling the prize around his neck, so incredulous was he that he had captured it. "Man, this thing is so heavy. I might get a neck spasm," Kim cracked. "I thought it would hit me once I put it around my neck. I…
![[Asian Games] Swimming champion determined to keep pursuing bigger goals](/img/8911591)
Tokyo — Following his victory in the men's 50-meter freestyle event at the Asian Games, swimmer Kim Young-beom expressed a mix of disbelief and profound gratitude upon winning his first gold medal. The champion appeared overwhelmed as he cradled the prize around his neck, commenting on its weight and the disbelief of wearing such a significant symbol.
Kim acknowledged the emotional impact of the moment, noting the national anthem played in a large arena to congratulate him. Despite the overwhelming joy, he maintained that he didn't fully believe his victory until he saw his name on the board. Kim's race further demonstrated his exceptional talent, as he set an Asian record of 21.66 seconds, hours after establishing another personal best of 21.71 seconds in the heats.
Such a feat of breaking a record during the heats, particularly one's own record, is exceptionally rare in swimming. Kim's focus before the final was on continuing to swim at the same level he had during the heats.
Written by urgent.news from The Korea Times's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
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