Marathon swimming begins with China's Wu winning gold at Asiad

Wu Shutong (R) and Airi Ebina compete during the women's 10km marathon swimming at the Hangzhou Asian Games, Oct. 6, 2023. (Xinhua/Hu Huhu)

HANGZHOU, Oct. 6 (Xinhua) -- China's Wu Shutong took gold in the women's 10km marathon swimming event of the Hangzhou Asian Games on Friday.

The event, also known as open water swimming, was introduced as an Olympic sport at Beijing 2008, and this was its first appearance at an Asiad. A total of 13 athletes from eight countries and regions took part.

Wu, 18, successfully surpassed Japan's Airi Ebina on the final lap, clinching the gold medal with a time of two hours, three minutes and 36.4 seconds.

Ebina secured the silver medal, while Sun Jiake of China earned the bronze.

"I never expected to achieve such results before the competition. I didn't have any special tactics and just gave my utmost," said Wu.

The men's 10km final takes place on Saturday. ■