Ji Yoo-chan, representing Daegu Metropolitan City Hall, has made history in Asian swimming by setting a new record and establishing himself among the world’s elite.

On August 1, during the semifinals of the Men’s 50m Freestyle at the World Aquatics Championships 2025 in Singapore, Ji matched Amir Cheruti of Israel for eighth place, both recording a time of 21.77 seconds.

This tie led to a swim-off—a head-to-head race to determine who would advance to the final—where Ji prevailed over Cheruti with a blistering 21.66, securing a highly coveted spot in the final.

The accomplishment holds special significance, as Ji became the first Korean swimmer to reach the World Championships final in the 50m freestyle, while simultaneously setting new national and Asian records for the event.

In the final, Ji clocked in at 21.71 seconds, ranking seventh among the eight finalists, finishing just 0.25 seconds behind Jack Alexy of the United States, who claimed the bronze medal.

Upon returning to Korea through Incheon International Airport on August 4, Ji expressed his delight: “I’m happy to have delivered such a great result. This competition was extremely meaningful to me,” he shared.

Reflecting on the experience of competing in a swim-off, Ji recounted, “I also swam a swim-off at the 2022 Budapest Championships, but back then it was to determine an alternate position, and I lost. This time, overcoming my opponent to enter the final gave me tremendous strength.”

Speaking about sharing the stage with renowned global athletes, he added, “It was an honor just to race alongside world-famous swimmers. Rather than letting nerves get to me, I tried to enjoy the moment. While I’m slightly disappointed with my time, it was still an invaluable experience.”

When asked about the secret behind his new Asian record, Ji credited his explosive start: “My speed at the beginning is my greatest asset, and I was able to maximize that this time.”

Acknowledging the small time gap—just 0.2 to 0.3 seconds—between him and the medalists, Ji remained optimistic: “Considering how much I’ve improved, it’s not impossible to close that gap. Next time, I want to go for a medal in the final.”

For continued improvement, Ji emphasized strategic race management: “Cutting time in the 50m requires a flawless performance. I need to capitalize on my strong start and work on my finish as well.”

He also weighed in on the race for the official Asian record. While Japan’s Shuya Mitsumoto recently swam a faster 21.64 at a domestic meet, the time awaits formal recognition through additional procedures. Ji remarked, “I was recognized as the Asian record holder first, but I’m motivated to set an even faster mark.”

On his physical edge, Ji pointed out, “My strength lies in my start and explosive power. I plan to use these advantages to set myself apart, even against international swimmers.”

Looking ahead, Ji stated, “After winning gold at the Hangzhou Asian Games, my goal was to defend my title at the next Asian Games. This championship has boosted my confidence, and I’m determined to bring home another gold with even better results.”

Note “This article was translated from the original Korean version using AI assistance, and subsequently edited by a native-speaking journalist.”

Photo=Yonhap News Agency