China's Pan defends 100m freestyle swimming title at Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games

Pan Zhanle of China competes during the men's 100m freestyle final at the 20th Asian Games Aichi-Nagoya 2026 in Tokyo, Japan, Sept. 20, 2026. (Xinhua/Wu Zhizun)

TOKYO, Sept. 20 (Xinhua) -- World record holder and Olympic champion Pan Zhanle of China defended the men's 100m freestyle swimming title at the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games here on Sunday.

Pan touched home first in 47.61 seconds, finishing a slim 0.04 seconds ahead of South Korea's Kim Youngbeom. Hwang Sunwoo, also of South Korea, took bronze in 47.79 seconds.

Gold medalist Pan Zhanle of China poses during the awarding ceremony for the men's 100m freestyle final at the 20th Asian Games Aichi-Nagoya 2026 in Tokyo, Japan, Sept. 20, 2026. (Xinhua/Chen Zeguo)

Gold medalist Pan Zhanle (C) of China, silver medalist Kim Youngbeom (R) of South Korea, bronze medalist Hwang Sunwoo of South Korea pose during the awarding ceremony for the men's 100m freestyle final at the 20th Asian Games Aichi-Nagoya 2026 in Tokyo, Japan, Sept. 20, 2026. (Xinhua/Chen Zeguo)

Gold medalist Pan Zhanle of China waves after the awarding ceremony for the men's 100m freestyle final at the 20th Asian Games Aichi-Nagoya 2026 in Tokyo, Japan, Sept. 20, 2026. (Xinhua/Chen Zeguo)

Pan Zhanle (L) of China shakes hands with Hwang Sunwoo of South Korea after the men's 100m freestyle final at the 20th Asian Games Aichi-Nagoya 2026 in Tokyo, Japan, Sept. 20, 2026. (Xinhua/Chen Zeguo)

Pan Zhanle of China waves after the men's 100m freestyle final at the 20th Asian Games Aichi-Nagoya 2026 in Tokyo, Japan, Sept. 20, 2026. (Xinhua/Chen Zeguo)

Pan Zhanle of China reacts after the men's 100m freestyle final at the 20th Asian Games Aichi-Nagoya 2026 in Tokyo, Japan, Sept. 20, 2026. (Photo by Wang Shen/Xinhua)

Pan Zhanle of China poses during the awarding ceremony for the men's 100m freestyle final at the 20th Asian Games Aichi-Nagoya 2026 in Tokyo, Japan, Sept. 20, 2026. (Xinhua/Wu Zhizun)

Gold medalist Pan Zhanle (C) of China, silver medalist Kim Youngbeom (L) of South Korea, bronze medalist Hwang Sunwoo of South Korea pose during the awarding ceremony for the men's 100m freestyle final at the 20th Asian Games Aichi-Nagoya 2026 in Tokyo, Japan, Sept. 20, 2026. (Xinhua/Wu Zhizun)