The South Korean national swimming team has advanced to the preliminary round of the men's 4x100m medley relay, aiming for their second consecutive medal in the event at the Asian Games.

Comprising Yun Ji-hwan (Gangwon State Government, backstroke), Cho Sung-jae (Korea Armed Forces Athletic Corps, breaststroke), Kim Jihun (Daejeon Metropolitan City Council, butterfly), and Hwang Sunwoo (Gangwon State Government, freestyle), South Korea finished 5th in the heats of the men's 4x100m medley relay at the 2026 Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games held today at the Tokyo Aquatics Centre in Japan, recording a time of 3:39.17.

At the 2022 Hangzhou Asian Games, South Korea combined for a time of 3:32.05 in this event, claiming the silver medal behind China (3:27.01).

The time of 3:32.05 set back then still stands as the South Korean record.

The 4x100m medley relay is an event where a team of four swimmers covers 100 meters each in the order of backstroke, breaststroke, butterfly, and freestyle to determine the rankings.

Along with the consistent performance of the competing swimmers, the timing of the next swimmer diving in right as the previous swimmer touches the touchpad determines the color of the medal.

South Korea will compete for a medal in the final scheduled to take place at the same venue today at 6:25 PM.

In the women's 100m freestyle heats, Huh Yeon-kyung (Daejeon Metropolitan City Facilities Management Corporation) tied for 5th place with a time of 55.14 seconds, advancing to the final.

Cho Hyeon-ju (North Gyeongsang Provincial Government), who competed alongside her, finished 11th with 56.43 seconds and narrowly missed out on the final ticket given to the top 10 swimmers.

In the men's 400m individual medley heats, Kim Min-seok (Jeonju City Hall) and Kim Min-seob (Gyeongbuk Sports Council) both safely advanced to the final.

Kim Min-seok placed 3rd with 4:21.80, and Kim Min-seob placed 7th with 4:23.75.

In the women's 200m backstroke, Lee Eun-ji (Gangwon State Sports Council), the bronze medalist of this event at the 2022 Hangzhou Games, advanced to the final with a time of 2:11.61 (3rd place).

In the women's 400m freestyle heats, Han Da-kyung (Jeonbuk One Sports Club) placed 6th with 4:14.54, and Kim Chae-yoon (Daejeon Sport High School) placed 10th with 4:20.62, both earning a spot in the final stage.

(Photo: Yonhap News)