Why did Kim Woo-min finish last in the men’s 1,500m freestyle at the Asian Games in Tokyo?

Kim said he had been dealing with a partially torn labrum and rotator cuff in his left shoulder for the past couple of months. He was in third place through the first 600m but faded after the 50m split and dropped to last at the 800m mark.

What races was Kim Woo-min expected to swim after the 1,500m freestyle?

Before the race, he was scheduled for the 200m freestyle on Wednesday, the 800m freestyle and 4x100m freestyle relay on Thursday, and the 400m freestyle on Friday. After the 1,500m, team officials said he will not enter the 200m and may also skip the 800m.

What has Kim Woo-min already achieved at the Asian Games and in the 400m freestyle?

He helped South Korea win bronze in the men’s 4x200m freestyle relay on Monday. Team officials also said he wants to compete in the 400m freestyle, which they described as his main event and the race in which he won a world title and an Olympic bronze in 2024.

Injured Kim Woo-min finishes last in 1,500m freestyle swimming

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Summary

Injured South Korean swimmer Kim Woo-min finished last in the men’s 1,500-meter freestyle at the Asian Games in Tokyo on Tuesday. He placed eighth in 15:16.52, more than 34 seconds behind China’s Zhang Zhanshuo. Kim said he has been dealing with a partially torn labrum and rotator cuff in his left shoulder for the past couple of months. South Korea officials said he will not enter the 200m freestyle and may also skip the 800m, while he still wants to race the 400m freestyle.

Key Facts

Kim Woo-min touched the pad in 15:16.52 to finish eighth among eight finalists in the men’s 1,500-meter freestyle at Tokyo Aquatics Centre.
He was more than 34 seconds slower than China’s Zhang Zhanshuo, who won the race.
Kim said he has been dealing with a partially torn labrum and rotator cuff in his left shoulder for the past couple of months.
He helped South Korea win bronze in the men’s 4x200m freestyle relay on Monday.
Team officials said Kim will not enter the 200m freestyle and are considering whether he will also skip the 800m freestyle.

By Yonhap

Published Sep 22, 2026 7:37 pm KST

Kim Woo-min reacts after finishing last in the men's 1,500-meter freestyle final of the Asian Games at Tokyo Aquatics Centre, Tuesday. Yonhap

TOKYO — The injured South Korean swimmer Kim Woo-min finished last among eight finalists in the men's 1,500-meter freestyle event at the Asian Games on Tuesday, a shocking result for the 2023 silver medalist.

Kim touched the pad in 15:16.52 to finish in eighth place at Tokyo Aquatics Centre in the Japanese capital. He was more than 34 seconds slower than the champion, Zhang Zhanshuo of China.

Kim was in third place through the first 600m but started falling behind at the next 50m split. He dropped to last place at the 800m mark and never recovered the rest of the way.

Kim revealed after the race that he had been dealing with a partially torn labrum and rotator cuff in his left shoulder for the past couple of months.

On Monday, Kim helped South Korea to bronze in the men's 4x200m freestyle relay.

Kim was slated to compete in four more races -- 200m freestyle on Wednesday, 800m freestyle and 4x100m freestyle relay on Thursday, and 400m freestyle on Friday, the last day of swimming. However, moments after Kim's 1,500m race, national team officials said Kim will not enter the 200m freestyle and will consider doing the same with the 800m. According to the team officials, Kim wants to compete in the 400m freestyle, his main event where he won a world title and an Olympic bronze in 2024.

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