China outshone by swimming rivals Japan at Asian Games

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China's fearsome triple Olympic champion Sun Yang smashed his rivals to create history on Monday as the swimming Goliath scooped the first-ever Asian Games men's 800-meter freestyle gold with another monstrous performance.

However, powerhouse China was still outshone by their arch-rivals Japan by four gold medals to three in the swimming tournament.

Teenager Rikako Ikee spearheaded a golden night for Japan's swimmers, having won the women's 100m freestyle and the 50m butterfly while Kanako Watanabe took women's 200m breaststroke gold and Japan's men beat Sun Yang's China in the 4x200m freestyle relay.

Sun Yang was expected to anchor China to victory in the 4x200m free, only for Japan to tear up the script. /VCG Photo

It provided a positive end to the day for Japan, who will host the next Olympics in 2020, after four basketball players were caught paying for sex in a Jakarta red light district.

Yuya Nagayoshi, Takuya Hashimoto, Takuma Sato and Keita Imamura were spotted in the area wearing team jerseys and "paid for the services of prostitutes," Japan's chef de mission Yasuhiro Yamashita said.

"I just feel a sense of shame," he said. "We deeply apologize and intend to give the athletes thorough guidance from now on."

Yasuhiro Yamashita, chef de mission of the Japan National Team, apologized for the player's actions in a press conference on Monday. /VCG Photo

Sheikh Ahmad al-Fahad al-Sabah, president of the Olympic Council of Asia, the Games' governing body, said the incident would serve as a warning to other athletes.

"At the end of the day, representing your country isn't only about winning medals," he said.

(With input from agencies)