World Aquatics Championships 2024: Hwang Sun-woo wins first long course world title with triumph in men's 200m freestyle
The Republic of Korea swimmer surged late on to take his first career world title in a long-course pool ahead of Danas Rapsys and Luke Hobson.
Hwang Sun-woo is now a world champion in both short-course and long-course swimming after winning the men's 200m freestyle world title at the Doha 2024 World Aquatics Championships on Tuesday (13 February).
The Republic of Korea swimmer, twice a world champ over the distance in a 25-metre pool, was the quickest off the blocks and led through the first 100m of the race.
But the United States' Luke Hobson kept pace with Hwang and even overtook him at the 125m mark, taking the lead into the final turn.
On the final length, both Hwang and the top qualifier Danas Rapsys put in late surges with 30 metres remaining, Hwang eventually touching the wall first in 1:44.75.
Lithuania's Rapsys claimed silver on 1:45.05 with Hobson holding on for bronze a further 0.21 behind Rapsys.
"I'm very happy with the race today, I didn't have any long-course gold medals and I'm very thankful I did it today," Hwang said pool-side immediately after his race.
It is the Republic of Korea's second title of the meet, after Kim Woo-min scored a surprise 400m freestyle win on Sunday.
Hobson, a first-time individual world medallist, said he would work further to improve his racing.
"Just being more preprared and fine-tuning the race strategy a bit better," he told reporters about what he could do differently. "I don't think I did anything too wrong in that, but obviously I seized a little bit in the end, so there's a little bit of stuff to work on for me."
Speaking to reporters afterwards, Hwang noted: "Hobson sped up after 100m, but I wanted to maintain my pace. My strategy was to accelerate in the last 50m, and it worked well.
"I (previously) won silver and bronze in the long course, while claiming gold in the short course. Therefore, this time, I was really longing for gold. Today, my dream came true.
"This victory will serve as a stepping stone, allowing me to make the necessary preparations for the Olympics.”
