Asian Games 2026: Another medal, another record for swimmer Gan Ching Hwee

Gan Ching Hwee celebrates after clinching the women's 400m freestyle silver in a national record of 4min 6.81sec. Photo: SpexSG/ Andy Chua

For the last three years, Gan Ching Hwee had been driven by the desire to prove to herself that reaching the podium at the Asian Games was possible. The 23-year-old swimmer has now done so twice at the Aichi-Nagoya 2026 Asian Games, with her latest medal being a silver in the women’s 400m freestyle on Sep 22.

Gan Ching Hwee has won her second medal in as many events at the 2026 Asian Games, having earlier placed second in the women's 1500m freestyle. Photo: SpexSG/ Andy Chua

She clinched silver in a national record of 4min 6.81sec, just two months after her 4:09.34 effort at the Commonwealth Games in July. This is Singapore’s second swimming medal of the 2026 Asian Games, after Gan also took silver in national record time in the women’s 1500m freestyle on 20 Sep.

In the women’s 400m freestyle, China’s Li Bingjie took gold in 4:02.71, while Ichiko Kajimoto of Japan was third in 4:07.45. Singaporean Victoria Lim, who clocked a personal best of 4:20.51 during the morning heats, was 10th in 4:23.40.

Gan revealed that she had not expected to be on the podium for the 400m freestyle, saying: “I was really excited, really pumped up before I came into today’s final. Although I was seeded fifth, I told myself, if I have a lane, I have a chance. Anything could happen in this race, and then I just went for it from the start. I just tried to keep up and I think that strategy paid off in the end.”

Gan Ching Hwee en route to taking silver in the women's 400m freestyle on 22 Sep. Photo: SpexSG/ Andy Chua

The 23-year-old had turned in fourth at the end of the first split, and then crept up to third in the next lap. She then made her way up to second place at the 200m mark, and held her position till the end.

Trusting the work she put in during training was the key in this race, as Gan explained: “At times like this, you can doubt whether you can finish the race fast enough because everyone has really fast closing speed … and just being mentally prepared for that and any situation really, and just go out there and race.”

Gan, who had finished fourth at the previous Asiad in 2023, said winning a medal in the 1500m freestyle had taken a weight off her shoulders and made her feel more confident.

“To be honest, since Hangzhou I really wanted to come back and prove to myself that being on the podium was a possibility. I think all those years of hard work went into that one day, and then thinking that I would feel more relaxed … I think it was not really that relaxing,” she said with a laugh.

Gan Ching Hwee will return to the pool later this week for the 800m freestyle and 4x200m freestyle relay. Photo: SpexSG/ Andy Chua

Gan has two more events – the 4x200m freestyle relay on 24 Sep and 800m freestyle on 25 Sep. While she hopes to continue her fine form, she is focusing more on process than outcome.

“Definitely, the expectations keep growing, even after today. I think I can enjoy tomorrow and then refocus and come back for the relay and the 800m freestyle as well. It’s been a good meet so far, and I’m looking to continue the momentum, ride that wave and keep doing my best,” she added.

Gan’s achievement on 22 Sep marks the second swimming national record of the day. Earlier in the day, teammate Russel Pang lowered his own national mark in the men’s 1500m freestyle with a 15:22.16 effort in the timed final.

Asian Games debutant Russel Pang lowered his own 1500m freestyle national record at the Tokyo Aquatics Centre on 22 Sep. Photo: SpexSG/ Andy Chua

The 16-year-old, who placed 10th in the event, said: “It feels great to know that all the work that I’ve put in for the last few months leading up to the Asian Games has paid off and it’s really fruitful.

“We went to Kunming for a training camp for 28 days. I was definitely hoping to go below the 15:20 mark but nonetheless I’m pretty happy with the time.”

Reagan Cheng, Chan Junhao, Brandon Yap and Jonathan Tan were seventh in the men’s 4x100m medley relay in 3:40.63.

Swimming continues on 23 Sep at the Tokyo Aquatics Centre.

The 20th Asian Games are held in Japan from 19 September to 4 October 2026. For the latest Team Singapore coverage and news, follow Team Singapore on their social media channels (Facebook, Instagram, TikTok) or visit the official Team Singapore website.