Japanese Olympic Trials: Ryosuke Irie Falls Short in 200 Backstroke
Ryosuke Irie, a veteran swimmer, faced disappointment at the Japanese Olympic Trials as he failed to qualify for his fifth Olympics Games in the 200 backstroke event held at the Tokyo Aquatics Centre. Irie, who had previously won a silver medal in this event in 2012, finished third behind Hidekazu Takehara and Keita Sunama. His time of 1:58.37 was not enough to secure a spot on the Olympic team, as Takehara’s 1:56.28 and Sunama’s 1:57.01 were both under the Olympic A standard.
Despite the setback, there was a silver lining for the participants at the Japanese Olympic Trials. Satomi Suzuki, who had already qualified for the 100 breaststroke event, added a second swim by winning the 200 breaststroke. Suzuki’s impressive time of 2:23.09 earned her another spot in the Paris Games. The battle for the top spot was fierce, with Kanako Watanabe and Runa Imai closely following Suzuki in times under the A standard. This victory marked a successful day for Suzuki and a testament to her versatility in multiple events.
Daiya Seto Advances in 200 Individual Medley Semifinals
Turning to the men’s events, veteran swimmer Daiya Seto secured a spot in the semifinals of the 200 individual medley, maintaining his hopes for a third Olympics appearance at the age of 29. After narrowly missing out on Tokyo 2020, Seto is determined to make a strong comeback in his signature event. Despite clocking in at 1:58.33, an Olympic consideration time, Seto faces tough competition from swimmers like Tomoyuki Matushita, Suo Ogata, and Takumi Mori, who are all aiming for a spot in the final.
The women’s events also showcased emerging talent, with 19-year-old Airi Mitsui clinching victory in the 200 butterfly. Mitsui’s impressive time of 2:06.54 secured her a spot in her first Olympics, while Hiroko Makino and Chiho Mizuguchi followed closely behind in times below the A cut. The men’s 50 breaststroke event saw a competitive final, with Hayato Watanabe emerging victorious in 27.44 seconds, showcasing the strength and depth of Japanese breaststrokers in the sprint events.
Shinri Shioura Sets Pace in Men’s 50 Free Semifinals
Shinri Shioura set the standard in the men’s 50 freestyle semifinals with a swift time of 22.21, signaling his intent to secure a spot on the Olympic team. With Koshiro Sakai closely behind in 22.25, both swimmers are aiming to achieve the A cut of 21.96 in the final. The competitive nature of the Japanese Olympic Trials continues to showcase the talent and determination of the swimmers vying for a chance to represent their country on the world stage.
