Jo Hyun-joo Sets New Korean Record in Women's 200m Freestyle, Advances to World Aquatics Championships Semifinals

South Korean swimmer Jo Hyun-joo has set a new national record in the women's 200-meter freestyle during the heats at the World Aquatics Championships, earning a spot in the semifinals for the first time in six years.

Representing North Gyeongsang Provincial Office, Jo Hyun-joo clocked a time of 1:58.10 in the preliminary heats held on July 29 in Singapore, finishing 15th out of 46 competitors. The top 16 swimmers advance to the semifinals, granting Jo another opportunity to reach the finals later in the day.

Jo’s performance shaved 0.31 seconds off the previous Korean record of 1:58.41 set by Kim Seo-yeong in 2019, marking Korea’s first new national swimming record at this championship.

Jo finished seventh in the fifth heat but secured a coveted spot in the semifinals and will compete again for a chance at the final in the evening session.

Overall, the South Korean national team delivered a strong showing. In the men’s 50-meter breaststroke, Choi Dong-yeol from Gangwon Provincial Office posted a time of 27.13 seconds, finishing 13th among 79 participants and securing first place in his heat. This performance ensured his advancement to the semifinals.

Although his time fell short of the Korean record of 26.93 seconds he set when winning a bronze medal at the Hangzhou Asian Games in 2023, Choi overcame last year’s disappointment of being disqualified in the Doha World Championships’ 50m breaststroke to reclaim his spot in the semifinals.

Additionally, Kim Min-seop of the North Gyeongsang Sports Council finished 15th among 36 competitors in the men’s 200-meter butterfly heats with a time of 1:56.34, safely advancing to the semifinals. Kim currently holds the Korean record for the event at 1:54.95, set last year.

Meanwhile, Kim Woo-min of the Gangwon Provincial Office, who claimed bronze in the 400-meter freestyle, opted to focus on the 4x200-meter freestyle relay and withdrew from the 800m and 1500m freestyle heats despite having qualified.

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

Photo=Yonhap News