Kosuke Kitajima capped a record-breaking week by grabbing a third gold medal Friday as the Japan quartet set a new national best to win the 4x100 medley relay at the Asian Games swim meet.
But the Chinese set new Asian records in the opening three races at Sajik swimming pool and ensured they cannot be overtaken at the top of the medal standings.
With just one day to go in the swimming competition, China has 16 gold medals, five clear of Japan in second with just five races left. No other country has recorded a victory.
Breaststroke specialist Kitajima, who broke the longest-standing men's world record in the 200 on Wednesday, helped salvage what looked like a poor day for Japan.