National swimmer Hwang Sun-woo (center) on Feb. 13 at the Aspire Dome in Qatar celebrates with silver medalist Danas Rapsys (left) of Lithuania and bronze medalist Luke Hobson of the U.S. at the medals ceremony for the men's 200-m freestyle at the World Aquatics Championships. (Yonhap News)

By Wu Jinhua

Swimming wunderkind Hwang Sun-woo (Gangwon State) has struck gold at the World Aquatics Championships in Qatar.

With a time of 1:44.75, he touched the pad first on Feb. 13 in the final of the men's 200-m freestyle at the World Aquatics Championships held at the Aspire Dome in Qatar.

In 2022, Hwang won the silver medal at the world championships in Budapest, Hungary, with 1:44.47 and bronze in last year's tournament in Fukuoka, Japan, with 1:44.42. His gold at this year's competition is Korea's first world title in the 200-m freestyle by a man or a woman.

Runner-up Danas Rapsys of Lithuania had a time of 1:45.05 and bronze medalist Luke Hobson of the U.S. 1:45.26.

Over the remainder of the competition in Qatar, Hwang could earn more medals in the 100-m freestyle, 800-m freestyle relay and 400-m medley relay.

jane0614@korea.kr