With a new Olympic crown, swimmer Park Taehwan is the golden athlete of South Korea.

Park, who turns 19 next month, emerged victorious in the 400 meters freestyle final to become the first Asian gold medallist at the Water Cube. His winning time of three minutes and 41.86 is also a new Asian record.

Park Tae-hwan of South Koera celebrates victory during men’s 400 freestyle final of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games at National Aquatics Center in Beijing, China, August 10, 2008. Park won the gold medal in the event. [Xinhua/Chen Kai]

"Although the weather was not good today, it was a truly nice day for me," he said after the race.

"This (the gold) was what I'm going after. I lagged behind in the first two laps, but I knew my pace and that I was going to catch up," he said.

Dubbed the nation's little brother by his fans, Park is the event's reigning world champion and a hugely popular athlete in his country.

He arrived in Beijing a week ago with a clear target to add an Olympic gold to his signature event. Before Sunday's final, he strolled to the poolside wearing headphones and appeared nonchalant when he was introduced to the cheering spectators.

As the race began, he trailed Aussie swimmer Grant Hackett in the first three laps before taking over the lead to the finish. When he finally won the gold, he shouted in ecstatic relief, punching his arms into the air.

The Seoul native started swimming at the age of five when his father took him to the pool to help cure asthma. Over the years, his talent in swimming was greatly developed to forge remarkable endurance and pace in the water.

Park participated in the 2004 Athens Games as a teenager, but was nerve-wracked and jumped the gun in the heats.

In Doha, he became the most decorated swimmer, winning seven medals, including three golds. Park also caused a major sensation when he beat Hackett in the 400 meters free at the 2007 World Championships in Melbourne.

After the victorious race, Park will also swim in 200m and 1500m freestyle at the Games.

(Xinhua News Agency August 10, 2008)