SINGAPORE, July 2 (Xinhua) -- China's Liu Lan came in first in the girls' 200m butterfly swimming finals of the 2009 Asian Youth Games with a stunning time of two minutes 14.13 seconds and won China's first title in swimming events which were opened here on Thursday.

    As a pre-tournament favorite, Liu clocked the best timing in the heats. In the finals, spectators were brought to the edge of their seats as she took the lead, breaking away from the pack and she was nearly four seconds better than the second-placed finisher Arhatha Magavi from India.

    Magavi touched a time of 2:18.86 minutes and won the silver medal. Following very closely behind her was China's Zhang Qi who clocked a time of 2:18.95.

    In boys' 200m butterfly final, South Korea sealed a one-two podium finish with Chang Gyucheol and fellow countryman Yoo Kyusang snatching the gold and silver medals respectively.

    Chang, who was qualified second for the finals, powered up in the last 50 meters and clocked 1:59.47 to overtake pre-race favorite RMA Yousef Alaskari of Kuwait who came in third.

    Fellow South Korean Yoo landed second position in a last-minute effort, stopping the clock at 2:00.84. Yoo was lagging in fifth position at the 100 meter turn, but put on a spirited comeback to ensure South Korea to go home with an impressive finish.

    Kuwait's R M A Yousef Alaskari came in third despite qualifying with the best timing in the heats. He clocked 2:03.26.