DOHA, Dec. 4 (Xinhua) -- Rafd Zyad Almasri said he hopes to have a podium finish in next year's world championships after he claimed the second swimming gold in Asian Games history for Syria.

    "All went well. It is my first big win in an international meet. In the upcoming World championships, I definitely want to be in the final and win a medal," said the 24-year-old Almasri after he won the men's 50m freestyle in convincing fashion.

    He was slow off the blocks but surfaced at the head of the field before he reached for a Syrian national record time of 22.41,leading second-placed Japanese Makoto Ito by half a body-length.

    Almasri, born in Berlin and living in Germany after his family moved there 40 years ago, said they still care about his homeland.

    "I'm living and training in Germany. My family moved to Germany 40 years ago but we still have close contact with Syria," he said, adding that he had three German championships titles to his name.

    "A lot of people in Syria watch sport on television and I think they will be happy," he said. "It's the only gold medal for Syria for now and I hope my winning can increase the popularity of swimming in Syria, as swimming is not such a big sport there as in Australia, China or America."

    Almasri will compete in the 100m free on Wednesday but he said he was not as good in the 100m as in the 50m.

    "I will compete in the 100 meters but I won't expect too much because I have concentrated on the 50 meters. But I definitely want to get a medal in the 100 meters too," he said.