China's Sun Yang shakes hands with Park Tae-hwan of South Korea on the podium at the London Olympic Games on July 30, 2012. Photo: IC

With a deep talent pool overflowing with Olympic and world champions, the swimming competition at the Asian Games is shaping up as the most intriguing event in Incheon.

With the added lure of a classic rivalry involving a hometown hero and a sneak preview of the next wave of stars poised to shine at the Rio Olympic Games, all the ingredients are there for a mouth-watering competition.

China, who named a 61-member swim squad, is again expected to dominate the medals after scooping up the lion's share of the golds on offer at the last Asian Games but face stiff competition from Japan and South Korea.

Park Tae-hwan, whom the Aquatics Center in Incheon is named after, carries the hopes of the host nation.

The 2008 Olympic gold medalist and two-time 400 ­meters freestyle world champion won three freestyle gold medals at each of the last two Asian Games.

He is chasing an unprecedented third straight treble but faces a formidable challenge from Chinese sensation Sun Yang in what promises to be the highlight of the six-day swimming competition.

Sun won the 400 meters and 1,500 meters freestyle at the 2012 London Olympic Games but is adding the 200 meters to his program for Incheon, setting the stage for a titanic battle with the 24-year-old Park, who is a superstar in Korea.

"My goal is to post good records at every race," Park told South Korea's Yonhap news agency. "If I can do that, then I should get the desired color of medals. Once all the races are done, I will be able to smile."

Park warmed up for the Asian Games with an impressive victory in the 400 meters at the Pan Pacific Championships in Australia, setting the fastest time in the world this year.

Sun is still getting back to his best after a turbulent year.

The 22-year-old spent a week in a detention center last year after being caught driving without a license but still managed to win three titles at the Chinese National Championships in May, even though his times are below his best.

"Up against Park, we're can't say 100 percent, but it's within our control," Sun's coach Zhang Yadong said.

"Park's a relatively strong opponent in the 200 meters. As far as we're concerned, we don't see him as an opponent. Especially in the 400 meters and 1,500 meters, we don't need to watch him."

Ye Shiwen, who won the women's medley double at London, is also trying to get back to her best after failing to win any medals at last year's world championships in Barcelona.

The 18-year-old, who has just ­begun a law ­degree in ­Tsinghua University in Beijing, is ranked third in the world this year for the 400 meters individual medley and is making steady progress.