Gold medalist Zhang Ziyang (C), silver medalist Lan Tianchen (L) of China and bronze medalist Park Jaehun of South Korea attend the awarding ceremony for the Men's 10km of Marathon Swimming at the 19th Asian Games in Chun'an County, east China's Zhejiang Province, Oct. 7, 2023. (Xinhua/Hu Huhu)
HANGZHOU, Oct. 7 (Xinhua) -- Chinese swimmer Zhang Ziyang earned men's marathon swimming gold medal Saturday at the Hangzhou Asian Games.
The competition on the rainy morning saw 16 participants from nine countries and regions showcase their determination and skills.
Zhang finished in one hour, 55 minutes and 45.8 seconds, closely followed by his teammate Lan Tianchen who clinched the silver medal by a narrow margin of less than a second. South Korea's Park Jae-hun secured the bronze medal.
Zhang began to accelerate in the third lap, eventually breaking away in the fifth lap to take a commanding lead. Lan closely trailed, ensuring that both Chinese athletes maintained a clear advantage until the finish line.
"I'm thrilled to have won a gold medal," Zhang said after the race.
He described the competition as intense, with the outcome remaining uncertain until the last lap. "My teammates and I performed exceptionally well." ■
Gold medalist Zhang Ziyang of China attends the awarding ceremony for the Men's 10km of Marathon Swimming at the 19th Asian Games in Chun'an County, east China's Zhejiang Province, Oct. 7, 2023. (Xinhua/Hu Huhu)
Gold medalist Zhang Ziyang of China attends the awarding ceremony for the Men's 10km of Marathon Swimming at the 19th Asian Games in Chun'an County, east China's Zhejiang Province, Oct. 7, 2023. (Xinhua/Hu Huhu)
Zhang Ziyang of China competes during the Men's 10km Final of Marathon Swimming at the 19th Asian Games in Chun'an County, east China's Zhejiang Province, Oct. 7, 2023. (Xinhua/Hu Huhu)
Zhang Ziyang of China competes during the Men's 10km Final of Marathon Swimming at the 19th Asian Games in Chun'an County, east China's Zhejiang Province, Oct. 7, 2023. (Xinhua/Hu Huhu)
