Japan and Korea Set National Records in Asian Games Medley Relay

The water at the Tokyo Aquatics Centre churned white as the men’s 4x100m medley relay reached its climax on day three of the 2026 Asian Games. Lane ropes sliced through the blue surface, marking a race where every stroke counted. China claimed the gold, but the real story was the sheer speed of the challengers. Japan and Korea both left their old national records in the past, carving out new benchmarks in a single afternoon.

Xu Jiayu set the pace with a 52.13 backstroke lead-off, creating a gap that seemed insurmountable. Yet Japan refused to fade. Their quartet closed to within a second, crossing the line in a national record time of 3:28.70. The effort was palpable, a collective surge against the tide of the leading lane. Korea followed suit, securing bronze with a 3:31.97 mark that erased their previous best by a fraction of a second.

China Seals Victory With Precision

Xu Jiayu’s veteran presence dictated the early rhythm, his 52.13 split leaving rivals chasing shadows. Dong Zhihao maintained the momentum with a 57.94 breaststroke, ensuring the team remained in control. Xu Fang hit 50.52 on the butterfly leg, a steady contribution that kept the relay on track. Pan Zhanle, the reigning world record holder in the 100m freestyle, anchored the team with a decisive 47.30.

The final time of 3:27.89 secured the gold for China. It was a display of depth and consistency, with each swimmer delivering exactly what the relay required. The Asian record of 3:27.01 remained untouched, a testament to the gap between this field and the global elite. Yet the performance was strong enough to dominate the Asian stage, leaving the other nations in pursuit.

Japanese Youth Drives Record Charge

Japan’s squad is among the youngest on the world stage, a mix of college and high school talent still setting personal bests. Hidekazu Takehara started with 53.71, trailing the leaders but setting the tone for a chase. Shin Ohashi, only 17, responded with a 57.64 breaststroke, showing composure under pressure. Shoon Mitsunaga delivered the race’s most striking split, a 49.74 butterfly that signaled their intent.

Tatsuya Murasa finished with 47.61, crossing in 3:28.70. This time shaved more than a second off the 3:29.91 national record set at the 2020 Olympics. The team’s energy was electric, a youthful charge that nearly toppled the champions. As reported by swimswam.com, this quartet represents a new era of Japanese swimming, one defined by speed and ambition.

Korean Trio Claims Bronze Medal

Korea repeated their success from the 4x200m freestyle relay, taking bronze with a new national record. Lee Juho opened with 53.92, followed by Choi Dongyeol’s 58.98 breaststroke. Yang Jaehoon swam 51.58 on the fly leg, keeping the team within striking distance of their previous mark. The final leg fell to Kim Youngbeom, who had won the 50m freestyle gold the day before.

Youngbeom took over the anchor role from Hwang Sunwoo, clocking 47.49 to finish in 3:31.97. This erased their former record of 3:32.05, a small but significant improvement. The team’s consistency across different relays highlighted their depth. It was a clean, efficient performance that secured the podium spot and a place in the national record books.