The Japanese teenager clocked 2:04.83 in Tokyo, lowering Qin Haiyang’s previous world record by more than half a second.
By Wapcodehub9ja LIVE News Desk
Japanese swimming teenager Shin Ohashi has set a new world record in the men’s 200-metre breaststroke after producing a remarkable performance at the 2026 Asian Games in Tokyo.
The 17-year-old touched the wall in 2 minutes 4.83 seconds, taking more than half a second off the previous world record of 2:05.48 held by China’s Qin Haiyang. Qin established the previous mark at the 2023 World Championships in Fukuoka, Japan.
Ohashi controlled the race from the early stages and finished well clear of his closest challengers. Kyrgyzstan’s Denis Petrashov claimed silver in 2:08.67, while South Korea’s Cho Sung-jae took bronze in 2:08.76.
The performance represents another major achievement for the Japanese teenager, who had already won gold in the 100-metre breaststroke earlier at the Asian Games. He had also entered the competition as the fastest swimmer in the 200m event this year, with a previous season-best time of 2:06.59.
Ohashi said breaking the world record had always been one of his targets and expressed his happiness after achieving it. He also credited the people who supported him before and during the competition.
The Japanese swimmer’s rise has attracted considerable attention because of his age. At just 17, he has already established himself among the leading breaststroke swimmers on the international stage.
His latest achievement follows an earlier national breakthrough in the 100m breaststroke, where he broke a Japanese record previously held by Olympic champion Kosuke Kitajima.
Ohashi now has his sights on further international success. Following his world-record swim, he said his next objective is to win gold at next year’s World Championships before targeting Olympic gold.
The Asian Games victory also gives Japan another major swimming achievement on home soil, with the competition taking place at the Tokyo Aquatics Centre.
For Qin Haiyang, the previous world record had stood since July 2023. He did not compete in the 200m breaststroke at this year’s Asian Games, leaving Ohashi the opportunity to challenge the longstanding mark.
With a world record already on his résumé at 17, Ohashi now enters the next phase of his career as one of the swimmers to watch in international breaststroke competition.
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