Goncharov Smashes Bahrain Swim Record

TDT | Manama

Email: mail@newsofbahrain.com

Bahrain swimmer Stepan Goncharov broke the national record twice on his way to eighth place in the men’s 100 metres backstroke final at the 20th Asian Games in Japan yesterday.

The 23-year-old from Tosno, Russia, was the only Bahraini to progress from the heats at Tokyo Aquatics Centre, qualifying 10th overall in 55.54 seconds.

That performance erased the previous national mark of 59.20 set by Omar Alrowaila in 2022, before Goncharov improved the record by a further 0.37sec in the final.

He touched the wall in 55.17 to finish eighth among the 10 contenders, completing the race 4.03sec faster than the former benchmark.

Xu Jiayu delivered gold for China in a Games-record 51.98, while Japan’s Hidekazu Takehara took silver in 53.93 and South Korea’s Lee Juho secured bronze in 53.94.

Ahmed Helal also contested the backstroke heats, placing 25th overall in 1:01.26.

In the men’s 100m freestyle, Abdulla Jamal clocked 53.55 to finish 33rd, while Goncharov did not start the event.

China’s Pan Zhanle went on to capture gold, with South Koreans Kim Youngbeom and Hwang Sunwoo earning silver and bronze respectively.

The women’s programme began with Sana Lefalher competing in the 1,500m freestyle timed final on her 19th birthday.

She recorded 17:57.23 to place third in her race and 10th overall, as Li Bingjie secured another gold for China in 15:53.52. Singapore’s Gan Ching Hwee claimed silver in 16:00.45 and Japan’s Ichika Kajimoto collected bronze in 16:06.83.

Noor Taha followed in the 50m breaststroke, finishing seventh in her heat and 21st overall in 35.87.

Tang Qianting added to China’s medal haul by winning gold in a Games-record 29.45, ahead of Japanese silver medallist Satomi Suzuki in 29.91 and compatriot Yang Chang, who took bronze in 30.24.

The kingdom’s opening day in the pool concluded with the women’s 4x100m freestyle relay heats.

Asma Lefalher, Amani Al Obaidli, Taha and Sana combined for a time of 4:05.43, placing ninth overall and earning first-reserve status. They finished 8.60sec behind Macao, who secured the eighth and final qualifying berth.

China won relay gold in a Games-record 3:33.10, Hong Kong secured silver in 3:36.59 and Japan completed the podium with bronze in 3:39.09.