The world was introduced to Korean teenager Hwang Sunwoo in May of this year when the emerging star busted out a lifetime best and World Junior Record of 1:44.96 (50.74/54.22) in the men’s 200m freestyle. That was good enough to qualify the young gun for the Tokyo Olympic Games, giving him a trio of freestyle events along with the 50m and 100m distances.
Kicking off his 200m free campaign in Tokyo, Dong-Hyun Jeon-coached Hwang scorched a 1:44.62 (50.12/54.50) in the heats to lower his aforementioned WJR. That early-round performance rendered the Korean as 11th on the all-time 200m freestyle performers list and also took over the iconic national record of 1:44.80 Olympian Park Tae Hwan put on the books in 2010.
Had Hwang been able to replicate that same effort come the final in Tokyo, the Korean ace would have captured the bronze medal. Instead, he dipped down to 1:45.53 in the semi-final and ultimately touched in 1:45.26 in the final to claim the 7th spot.
Of note, the teen ripped an opening 100m of 49.78, the fastest by almost half a second, before closing in 55.48 and settling for 7th.
But Hwang also did damage in the 100m freestyle in his Olympic debut as well, firing off a time of 47.82 to place 5th in the final. One swim prior, however, Hwang unleashed a new Asian record of 47.56 to once again make his presence known as just an 18-year-old.
We’re in a unique situation in that there are now just 3 years until the next edition of the Summer Olympic Games in Paris, France, as this past Games had been postponed one year due to the coronavirus pandemic.
As such, Tokyo was a little more of a preview of potentially what’s to come in Paris for some of the younger swimmers such as Hwang, Romania’s David Popovici, Great Britain’s Matt Richards and Jacob Whittle and more.
SwimSwam was able to speak with Hwang through interpreters to find out more about the man who is carrying on the Olympic torch from Park Tae Hwan.
When asked what his expectations were heading into his first Olympic Games, Hwang told SwimSwam, “Just even participating in Tokyo Olympics, such a huge event, was part of my dream and it was such an honor.
“Instead of competition, I was focusing on beating my own records.”
He continued, “Since COVID-19, it was very hard for us swimmers, to participate in international level competition, so I think it was very exciting to get a chance to compete with international swimmers.”
Reflecting on his individual performances, Hwang says he was most satisfied with his 200m free outings, stating, “I swam as I planned, and the [1:44.62 prelims] record was better than I expected.”
Specific to his lightning-quick sub-50 opening split, Hwang admitted that it ‘was a little bit over-paced than what I was planning to do, which is why I couldn’t maintain my speed for the 150m remaining. Stamina was the reason and I am working on this.”
Hwang is planning on continuing to race the 50m, 100m and 200m free and is set to compete once again at a domestic competition in October. Even before Paris, Hwang has the 2022 Asian Games to which to look forward, scheduled for October of that year.
He has a lot of talent and some time to figure out pacing with the big guys. He and Popovici have the potential to move the event to the 1:43’s
Obviously Hwang is already a very good swimmer and a potential contender for 200 free in Paris. Though, I bet on Popovici to be the next # 1 in the world in this event.
Agreed but hwang also has massive room for strength improvement etc