JAKARTA -- The opening day of the swimming competition at the Asian Games evolved into a battle between China and Japan, with the former just having an edge as athletes from the two powerhouses won all seven of the gold medals available Sunday night.
Satomi Suzuki gave Japan its first gold medal of the Asian Games with a victory in the women's 100-meter breaststroke, the first of three Japanese victories on the night. China won the four other events.
Suzuki won in 1 minute 6.40 seconds, just .05 ahead of Reona Aoki, who made it a 1-2 finish for Japan.
Suzuki said that around 75 meters, she thought, "It's getting tough." However, her determination to improve her own personal best helped drive her final effort, although she came up just short of that goal.
Suzuki also said that Sunday's victory became a good step toward the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.
Shortly after, Daiya Seto successfully defended his Asian Games title in the men's 200 butterfly, winning ahead of compatriot Nao Horomura in 1:54.53. Horomura was well back in second in 1:55.58.
"My swim was not so good from 100 to 150," said Seto, who trailed China's Li Zhuhao at both turns. "There was a moment when I felt rushed near the end, but I was able to calm myself down. I honestly feel happy that I could win a gold on the first day."
In the final event, Japan edged China by .26 seconds to win the women's 4x100 freestyle relay in a Japan national and Asian Games record of 3:36.52.
Japan got off to a strong start behind leadoff swimmer Rikako Ikee, the 18-year-old high school star coming off a successful outing at the recent Pan Pacific Championships in Tokyo. She finished her leg in 53.60, followed by China's Zhu Menghui at 54.00.
"Although I felt a bit nervous about whether my body would work as I expected, the atmosphere was more tense at the Pan Pacific so at the end I could feel relaxed," Ikee said.
Natsumi Sakai, Tomomi Aoki and Chihiro Igarashi followed Ikee to wrap up a golden night for Japan.
It was the second medal for Sakai, who earlier finished second in the 200 backstroke.
Chinese swimmers struck gold in the women's 1,500 freestyle and 200 backstroke, and the men's 200 freestyle and 100 backstroke.
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