2024 Japan Olympic Trials
When we think of Japan's strongest swimmers in recent history, we think of their names as “Kosuke Hagino' rises to the top. Now retired, the 29-year-old has been a mainstay in the domestic and international racing scene, winning gold in the men's 400m IM at the 2016 Rio Games.
Since then, Hagino has been busy with his announcing duties, most recently serving as the Japanese analyst for last month's World Championships.
The multinational record holder recently shared his thoughts on what he thinks will unfold over the next seven days of Japan's 2024 Olympic Trials. He knows the competition well, having represented Japan in three Olympics.
Hagino talks about several points, from who he has the most confidence to qualify for the Olympics, rising stars, and the current state of Japanese swimming.
whole The interview can be seen on NHK.
Key points from the Hagino interview
1. Which Japanese athletes have qualified for the Olympics?
When asked if there are any athletes who are overdoing it when it comes to qualifying for the Olympic team, Hagino immediately pointed to the 2024 world champion. Tomoru Honda.
Hagino said, “I can say with 100% certainty that I can represent the team.'' (Japan Broadcasting Corporation)
In Doha, Honda won the 200-meter fly race with a time of 1:53.88 despite racing with a sprained ankle. Honda is the current Olympic silver medalist, and her lifetime best record from 2022 is 1 minute 52.70 seconds, well below the Japan Swimming Federation's QT time of 1 minute 55.27 seconds.
2. What are your thoughts? Rikako Ikee Participating in the Olympics for the third time?
Regarding the 23-year-old Ikee, Mr. Hagino said, “I think every event will be a challenging race for her.She has a high entry standard record to begin with, so will she be able to qualify even if she wins?
“Honestly, if she doesn't perform well and set a time close to her personal best, she won't be able to make the team.'' Still, one of Ikee's strengths is that she can hit the ball when it matters most. It is the ability to decide.”
Ikee is scheduled to compete in the Olympic events, 50m free, 100m free, and 100m fly. The selection criteria are 24.55, 53.12, and 57.34 respectively.
After battling leukemia for most of 2019, Ikee's best times since returning to competition include 24.74 seconds in the 50-meter free, 53.83 seconds in the 100-meter free and 56.68 seconds in the 100-meter fly.
Ikee has been training at Griffith University. michael ball Since last fall.
3. Who are the new players you are paying attention to?
Hagino pointed to the 17-year-old. Mio Narita Female side and 18 years old Tomoyuki Matsuhita For men.
Narita won gold at the 2022 World Junior Championships and was highlighted in preview posts as a threat to both IM's domestic competition. She is currently ranked 8th in the world and recorded a season-best time of 4:37.93 at the Japan Open.
Matsushita won the gold medal in the 400m IM at last year's World Junior Championships, and is the second Japanese athlete this season behind Honda. The teenager's season-best time was 4:10.98, set in December.
4. What are your comments on the swimming situation in Japan?
Hagino said, “It's true that we haven't been able to get any results in international competitions, and I think we feel like we're being left behind by the rest of the world.'' Japan Broadcasting Corporation.
Japan had a disappointing result at the 2020 Olympics, winning just three medals for the host country – Yui OhashiHonda won the gold medal in the women's IM and the silver medal in the 200m fly.
At the Fukuoka World Championships, Japan once again performed poorly, winning just two bronze medals.
This has produced some notable athletes and national coaches. Hakusho Hirai, speaks out about the tension between JASF and swimmers. Hirai was suspended for six months for his comments, but the suspension was lifted last month.
