Japan Sunday grabbed their first golds of the East Asian Games in Hong Kong and set the pace in the opening swimming heats, but it was China who sat atop the overall medals table.

Following Saturday's glittering opening ceremony, the real action got under way with the first events in the swimming pool, one of the most eagerly anticipated competitions at the four-yearly Games.

The Japanese won six of the eight heats in the opening session, with Takuro Osaki setting a Games record of 1 minute 01.99 seconds in the men's 100 meters breaststroke, before being bettered by compatriot Ryo Tateishi in the next race.

Tateishi touched home in 1 minute 01.02 seconds, nearly a second faster than the original record, set by Japanese swimmer Kosuke Kitajima in 2001.

The final was later Sunday, when China's Liu Zige was expected to go after a world record in the 200 meters butterfly.

Some of the 22 sports at the Games began as far back as Wednesday and the Japanese belatedly registered their first gold medals Sunday, taking two in dancesport, where 12 golds were up for grabs.

China took four of them to climb to an overall gold medal tally of six, one better than South Korea.

The East Asian Games finish December 13.

Agencies