Qin Haiyang of China attends the awarding ceremony of the men's 50m breaststroke at the Chengdu Universiade, Aug 6, 2023. (PHOTO / XINHUA)

HANGZHOU - Chinese swimmer Qin Haiyang and basketball player Yang Liwei were named on Friday as flag bearers at the opening ceremony of the 19th Asian Games for the host.

Qin, a 24-year-old breaststroke swimming world champion, holds Asian records in three events and a world record in the 200m. He will participate in the men's 50m, 100m and 200m breaststroke and two relays at the Asiad in Hangzhou of east China's Zhejiang Province scheduled between September 23 and October 8.

"First of all, thanks for the help of our coaches and staff, and the recognition of the leadership. Being flag bearer is not only my personal honor but also an honor for the Chinese swimming team," the breaststroke world champion said on Friday.

This marks the first time a Chinese swimmer has been selected as the flag bearer for the Asian Games' opening ceremony.

Qin Haiyang (right) of China competes in the men's 100m breaststroke semifinal at the 31st FISU Summer World University Games in Chengdu, southwest China's Sichuan province, Aug 1, 2023. (PHOTO / XINHUA)

Historically, no athlete in the World Swimming Federation had ever clinched the 50, 100, and 200 meters breaststroke championships at the same world championships. However, the 24-year-old Qin achieved this feat and set a world record in the 200 meters breaststroke at this year's World Championships in Fukuoka in July, earning him the title of the "new breaststroke king."

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Born in 1999 in Hunan province, Qin began swimming at the age of 5 and a half. 

From the 2017 World Championships to the 2023 Chengdu Universiade, he consistently pushed his limits."I hope to rewrite the world record in other events and stand on the top podium of the Olympic Games," said the world champion, who will compete in the men's 50m, 100m, and 200m breaststroke and two relays at the Asiad.

In this file photo dated Sept 27, 2021, Yang Liwei of China takes a free throw during the FIBA Women's Asia Cup 2021 Group B basketball match between China and the Philippines in Amman, capital of Jordan. (PHOTO / XINHUA)

Women's basketball captain Yang was taken aback when she learned she was named as the flag bearer.

"It was a real surprise and an extreme honor for me, I am very excited," she said.

Yang led her teammates to finish China's 12-year wait for the Asia Cup victory in July after they took silver in last year's World Cup. The point guard was born in 1995 and stands at 1.76 meters tall.

"This honor is not for me alone, but for the whole Chinese basketball team," the 28-year-old remarked.

"The women's basketball team will go all out in the upcoming Asian Games, and we are confident to achieve our goals." She added.

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The opening ceremony of the Asian Games will take place on Saturday evening. China has announced a delegation of 1,329 members, including 886 athletes who will compete in 407 events of 38 sports.