Games-Swimming-Park makes a splash with S.Korea's second gold

DOHA, Dec 5 (Reuters) Teenager Park Tae-hwan won his and South Korea's second swimming gold medal of the 15th Asian Games today, taking the 400m freestyle title in convincing fashion.

The world number two, who already has the 200m freestyle gold in the bag, pulled away from a world-class field over the final 60m to win in 3:48.44.

China's Zhang Lin was just behind on 3:49.04 and Olympic finalist Takeshi Matsuda third in 3:49.38.

Park won South Korea's first major swimming titles in the 400m and 1500m freestyle at the Pan Pacific Championships in Canada in August.

The 17-year-old is aiming for four golds in Doha.

China were aiming to win at least four pool gold medals today and got off to the perfect start when Zhou Jaiwei touched home first in the men's 50m butterfly.

Japan's Ryo Takayasu took his second silver of the Games while China's Wang Dong came third to win his second bronze.

Asami Kitagawa secured Japan's eighth overall gold medal in the pool when she won the 100m breaststroke, ahead of China's Ji Liping and South Korea's Back Su-yeon in third.

Reuters DH RS2352