Asian Games 2026: Gan Ching Hwee wins swimming's first medal

Gan Ching Hwee took silver in the 1500m freestyle at the 2026 Asian Games, setting a national record of 16min 00.45sec. Photo: SpexSG/ Andy Chua 

Gan Ching Hwee clinched Singapore’s first swimming medal of the Aichi-Nagoya 2026 Asian Games in style, taking silver in the 1500m freestyle in a national record of 16min 00.45sec. She finished behind defending champion Li Bingjie of China (15:53.52), who has multiple World Championship medals in this event, and ahead of Japanese newcomer Ichika Kajimoto (16:06.83).

Singapore swimmer Gan Ching Hwee with her medal after finishing second in the women's 1500m freestyle at the 2026 Asian Games. Photo: SpexSG/Andy Chua

Gan’s timing betters her previous national mark of 16:01.29, which she achieved at the World Aquatics Championships last year in Singapore. Her 800m split of 8:29.56 also surpassed her previous national mark of 8:29.93 from the World Aquatics Championships last year.

For Gan, winning her first Asiad medal brings with it “a great mix of emotions, mostly very happy ones”. She had been hoping to go under 16 minutes, but was relieved and pleased that her game plan of starting fast paid off. Sitting in third position after the first split, Gan caught up and remained in second place throughout the rest of the race.

Singapore swimmer Gan Ching Hwee in the women's 1500m freestyle at the 2026 Asian Games on 20 Sep. Photo: SpexSG/Andy Chua

The 23-year-old was fourth at the recent Commonwealth Games and at the last Asian Games in 2023, and admitted to feeling “slivers of doubt” in the last few days. “But I think when the race actually started, I just left it all behind and began on a new slate and kept going,” she added.

Her mindset is different from that of her 15-year-old self, who made her Asian Games debut in 2018 – during which she clinched her very first national record – also in the 1500m freestyle.

Singapore swimmer Gan Ching Hwee in the women's 1500m freestyle at the 2026 Asian Games on 20 Sep. Photo: SpexSG/Andy Chua

“Last time, I used to get affected by the slightest bit of doubt that came to my mind. Even the smallest thing, like what if my goggles leak, or what if my cap falls off midway. But now, I let the thought come and go,” she explained. “It’s a very important skill to have, and then when it’s go time, really dial in and focus.”

She has notched many notable accolades since clinching her very first national record in this event on her Asian Games debut in 2018. These include competing at the Olympic Games in 2024 and accomplishing the triple-triple of winning the 200m, 400m and 800m freestyle titles across three consecutive SEA Games.

Her feat at the Tokyo Aquatics Centre marks the ninth time she has broken the 1500m freestyle national record. She also holds the national records in the 200m, 400m and 800m freestyle, and 400m individual medley events. Her fine form this year – she has set three national marks – has naturally drawn attention and expectations of medal hopes, which Gan has managed by trying to stay off social media.

She is slated to swim the 400m and 800m freestyle, as well as the 4x200m freestyle relay.

Gan Ching Hwee is pencilled in for the 400m and 800m freestyle, as well as the 4x200m freestyle relay at the 2026 Asian Games. Photo: SpexSG/Andy Chua

“I thought I would feel relieved that my main event is over. But I think the expectations always grow, and learning to manage that is always part of the process of being an athlete,” said Gan.

“Being able to get the job done today was very fulfilling. To be honest, it hasn’t sunk in yet. It was like, just go, go, go. I didn’t want to look back and didn’t let the fatigue get to me. It was fun racing out there. (Finishing fourth before) really fuelled the fire in me even more. The last Asian Games being three years ago and coming back here and really wanting to give it a really good shot, and knowing that I’m at my best right now, and just putting it all out there in the pool. I didn’t want to leave anything behind. I know I have a long meet ahead, but honestly I just went 101 per cent in this one, and I don’t regret it.”

Gan was not the only Singaporean who set a personal best on the first day of the swimming event.

Reagan Cheng set a new personal best in the men's 200m individual medley at the Asian Games 2026 on 20 Sep. Photo: SpexSG/Andy Chua

Asian Games debutant Reagan Cheng recorded a personal best of 2:01.25 in the heats of the men’s 200m individual medley, and finished 10th in 2:02.65 in the final. Mikayla Tan, also making her first appearance at the Games, was seventh in 31.76s in the 50m breaststroke final. In the men’s 100m freestyle final, Jonathan Tan (50.21s) and Mikkel Lee (52.06s) were ninth and 10th respectively. In the last event of the day, Chan Zi Yi, Christina Schulz, Megan Yo and Victoria Lim clocked 3:51.62 to finish sixth in the women’s 4x100m freestyle relay.

The swimming action continues at the Tokyo Aquatics Centre on 21 Sep.

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.