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).
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.
Gan, who was fourth at the recent Commonwealth Games and at the last Asian Games in 2023, said of winning her first Asiad medal: “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."
The 23-year-old 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 events.
Gan said: “I don’t think I break a national record or have a personal best (at every swim). For example, at the Commonwealth Games I was actually aiming to go my best time but fell a bit short. (It’s about) knowing that progress isn’t linear in that sense; there are ups and downs. It’s how we manage it to the best of our abilities and how we bounce back even stronger.”
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.