Qin Haiyang of China wins the men's 200-meter breaststroke swimming gold medal at the World Aquatics Championships in Fukuoka, Japan, July 28, 2023. /CFP
Qin Haiyang of China wins the men's 200-meter breaststroke swimming gold medal at the World Aquatics Championships in Fukuoka, Japan, July 28, 2023. /CFP
Qin Haiyang of China celebrates after winning the men's 200-meter breaststroke swimming gold medal at the World Aquatics Championships in Fukuoka, Japan, July 28, 2023. /CFP
Qin Haiyang of China celebrates after winning the men's 200-meter breaststroke swimming gold medal at the World Aquatics Championships in Fukuoka, Japan, July 28, 2023. /CFP
Qin Haiyang of China competes in the men's 200-meter breaststroke swimming final at the World Aquatics Championships in Fukuoka, Japan, July 28, 2023. /CFP
Qin Haiyang of China competes in the men's 200-meter breaststroke swimming final at the World Aquatics Championships in Fukuoka, Japan, July 28, 2023. /CFP
Qin Haiyang of China competes in the men's 200-meter breaststroke swimming final at the World Aquatics Championships in Fukuoka, Japan, July 28, 2023. /CFP
Qin Haiyang of China competes in the men's 200-meter breaststroke swimming final at the World Aquatics Championships in Fukuoka, Japan, July 28, 2023. /CFP
Qin Haiyang of China competes in the men's 200-meter breaststroke swimming final at the World Aquatics Championships in Fukuoka, Japan, July 28, 2023. /CFP
Qin Haiyang of China competes in the men's 200-meter breaststroke swimming final at the World Aquatics Championships in Fukuoka, Japan, July 28, 2023. /CFP
Qin Haiyang of China celebrates after winning the men's 200-meter breaststroke swimming gold medal at the World Aquatics Championships in Fukuoka, Japan, July 28, 2023. /CFP
Qin Haiyang of China celebrates after winning the men's 200-meter breaststroke swimming gold medal at the World Aquatics Championships in Fukuoka, Japan, July 28, 2023. /CFP
Qin Haiyang of China secured his fourth gold medal at the World Aquatics Championships in Fukuoka, Japan, on Friday in in the men's 200-meter breaststroke final while setting a new world record.
The 24-year-old built a lead of 0.97 seconds over defending champion and world record holder Zac Stubblety-Cook of Australia after 50 meters and never looked back.
Qin touched home first in a time of 2:05.48, taking 0.47 seconds off the previous world mark of 2:05.95 set by the Australian on May 19, 2022.
Stubblety-Cook finished second in 2:06.40. Matt Fallon of the United States took bronze in 2:07.74.
It was Qin's fourth gold medal at the World Championships, after he had won double victories in the men's 50-meter and the 100-meter breaststroke and the mixed 4x100-meter medley relay title.
(With input from Xinhua News Agency)