South Korean swimmer Park Tae-hwan has advanced to the semifinals in the men's 100-meter freestyle at the 2011 FINA World Aquatics Championships in Shanghai.

The nation’s “Marine Boy” finished 14th overall in two heats Wednesday morning to qualify along with 14 other swimmers for the semis.

If Park makes the next cut, he will be the first Asian to compete in the 100-meter freestyle finals at the World Aquatic Championships.

In the women’s 200-meter butterfly, South Korea's Choe Hye-ra has qualified for the semifinals as well, after placing 15th overall.