Asian Games 2026: Young stars shine in the pool

Tedd Chan set a national record of 24.97sec during the men's 50m backstroke heats at the Asian Games on 21 Sep. Photo: SpexSG/ Andy Chua 

Tedd Chan announced his arrival on the senior international swimming stage in resounding fashion, with a 24.97sec national record in the men’s 50m backstroke at the Aichi-Nagoya 2026 Asian Games on 21 Sep.

The 16-year-old became the first Southeast Asian male to break the 25-second barrier in this event while also breaking a longstanding national record – the previous national mark of 25.13s was set by Quah Zheng Wen in 2015.

Tedd Chan posted 25.37s to finish eighth in the men's 50m backstroke final at the Asian Games on 21 Sep. Photo: SpexSG/ Andy Chua

Tedd’s 24.97s effort in the 50m backstroke heats ranked him fourth entering the final, where he finished eighth in 25.37s at the Tokyo Aquatics Centre. Two-time defending champion Xu Jiayu of China took gold in a Games record of 24.04s, ahead of compatriot Wang Zicheng (24.49s) and South Korea’s Yoon Jihwan (24.54s).

Tedd’s initial reaction to achieving his first senior national record was one of disbelief. His previous personal best of 25.52s was clocked at the National School Games this year. In the lead-up to the Asian Games, he has been focusing on sprint techniques while balancing the demands of training and academic commitments as a student at Anglo-Chinese School (Independent).

Tedd Chan's 24.97s in the men's 50m backstroke effort lowers the previous national mark of 25.13s, which was set in 2013. Photo: SpexSG/ Andy Chua

“It’s a big personal best … I’m really proud of myself,” said Tedd.

“(In the final) the race plan was there and everything was executed properly. It’s just that the timing fell short a bit, but it happens. I didn’t expect too much going into the finals, I just wanted to have fun – which I did. It was an awesome experience so I think I’m pretty happy with the results.”

Fellow Asian Games debutant Victoria Lim also had reason to celebrate after recording a personal best en route to qualifying for the 200m freestyle final. Her heats time of 2:03.72 was an improvement from her 2:04.15 time from last year’s World Aquatics Junior Swimming Championships. In the 200m freestyle final on 21 Sep, the 15-year-old was 10th in 2:04.43.

Victoria Lim recorded a personal best en route to qualifying for the women's 200m freestyle final on 21 Sep. Photo: SpexSG/ Andy Chua

Defending champion Siobhan Haughey retained her title in 1:54.96. China’s Li Jiaping (1:56.58) and Liu Yaxin (1:57.53) completed the podium.

Victoria, who turns 16 on 23 Sep, said: “Honestly, I didn’t even think I was going to make the final this morning, so I was really shocked. Just being in this final with Siobhan Haughey right there … it’s just crazy because these are people that I’ve only grown up watching and seeing on TV. To be able to share the same pool with them is such an honour.”

For Tedd, sharing the pool with the likes of multiple Olympic and world championship medallist Xu was an inspiration. “I would one day want to be as fast as him,” said the teenager. “But the standard’s really high now, so I have to train harder and fight for that spot next time.”

Ardi Azman (left) and Glen Lim (right) during the men's 4x200m freestyle relay on 21 Sep. Photo: SpexSG/ Andy Chua

Teammates Mikkel Lee (22.06s) and Jonathan Tan (22.46s) were fifth and 10th respectively in the 50m freestyle. The quartet of Glen Lim, Ardi Azman, Ian Leong and Brandon Yap were eighth in 7:24.22 in the men’s 4x200m freestyle relay.

The swimming competition at the Asian Games continues on 22 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.