Korea’s 18-Yr-Old Hwang Sunwoo Clocks 48.04 100 Free Record

Retta Race
by Retta Race 10

May 15th, 2021 News

2021 KOREAN NATIONAL TRIALS

In addition to yesterday’s remarkable 100m swim which saw Cho Sungjae become Korea’s first-ever sub-minute 100m breaststroker, today’s Korean Trials session saw 18-year-old Hwang Sunwoo nearly crack the 48-second barrier in the men’s 100m free.

After having already punched a prelim time of 48.38, Hwang sliced .34 off to check-in with a significant swim of 48.04 to snag gold. That lowered his own Korean national record of 48.28, with today’s splits hitting 23.17 on the way out and 24.87 on the way home.

With his 48.04, Hwang now just sits .05 away from getting under the 48-second threshold. In the meantime, the teen now ranks as the 7th fastest man in the world, tying reigning Olympic champion Kyle Chalmers of Australia.

2020-2021 LCM Men 100 Free

2Kyle
Chalmers
AUS47.0807/29
3Kliment
Kolesnikov
RUS47.1107/27
4David
Popovici
ROU47.3007/08
5Alessandro
Miressi
ITA47.4505/19
View Top 26»

On his monumental swim, teen Hwang stated, “It feels great to break the national record again, 2 years in a row at the national trials. I did imagine what it would be like to swim under 48 but I broke my personal best so I’m very satisfied with today’s results.”

Kim Seoyeong also qualified for the Olympic Games by way of her 2:10.66 time in the women’s 200m IM. Postings splits of 28.51/32.22/39.23/30.65, Kim’s time is .03 quicker than the mark she already reaped at last November’s national meet, a time of 2:10.63 which renders her as the 11th fastest performer this season.

Although not an Olympic event, Choi Dongyeol broke the Korean 50m breast record by nailing a time of 27.21. That overtook the previous national standard of 27.47 Ju Janghoon set in 2017. He’ll also be racing the 200m breaststroke at these Trials.

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Khachaturian
2 years ago

48 low! We might have another powerhouse in freestyle within the next coming years.

Jonathan Charbroiled Steak
2 years ago

You gotta love the poses this man pulls out after each win

gkjhdslks
2 years ago

48.0 is LEGIT. Im rooting for this kid

Dee
2 years ago

Imagine having an inverted triangle torso at 18… the way some people win the genetic lottery 😅

Dudes kick is insane too, big future!

nuotofan
Reply to  Dee
2 years ago

His kick is really amazing. Also in the 200 free heat (1.47.50 with ease) his kick was powerful until the end of the race. Anyway, swimming 48.04 at 18, for a “more-oriented 200 freer”, like Hwang Sun Woo is, and without being a giant, is remarkable indeed. 1.45.6 in the 200 free?

Dee
Reply to  nuotofan
2 years ago

Yeah, has to have a 1.45mid in the tank. I’ll go a little faster; 1.45.3.

Absolutely
Reply to  Dee
2 years ago

The kid just swam 1:44.9 Unbelievable…

whever
Reply to  Absolutely
2 years ago

I actually thought Dee’s 1.45.3 prediction is a little bold when I first saw the comment, and now I realize I was wrong.
What a huge talent.

Absolutely
Reply to  whever
2 years ago

His 200FS pb was 1:51.86 in August 2019 and he swam 1:44.96 today. That’s insane. I am more inclined to believe he could actually do something crazy in Tokyo this summer just like what Chalmers did in Rio.

Mr Piano
2 years ago

48.0 at 18? Very bright future

About Retta Race

Retta Race

Former Masters swimmer and coach Loretta (Retta) thrives on a non-stop but productive schedule. Nowadays, that includes having just earned her MBA while working full-time in IT while owning French 75 Boutique while also providing swimming insight for BBC.

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