The Japan Swimming Federation (JASF) has named two athletes as the organization's captain and vice-captain, following the announcement of its 27-strong squad for this summer's Olympic Games.
Naoki Mizunuma Becomes the head athlete of the Paris national team supported by Katsuhiro Matsumoto.
Mizunuma and Matsumoto finished 1-2 in the men's 100m butterfly at the Japan Olympic Trials, which concluded last weekend.
Matsumoto, 27, set a time of 50.96 seconds, followed by Mizunuma, 27, in 51.23 seconds. Both athletes scored below the JASF-regulated selection standard of 51.43 points required to participate in Paris.
swimming committee chairperson Takayuki Umehara says of the duo: I nominated him because I thought he had the ability to organize things. ”
The Paris Games will be the second Olympic appearance for both athletes, each having won medals at the World Championships during their careers.
Mizunuma won silver in the 100m fly at the 2022 World Championships in Budapest, and Matsumoto won silver in the 200m free at the 2019 World Championships in Gwangju.
At last year's Asian Games, Mizunuma won the bronze medal as a member of Japan's bronze medal-winning men's medley relay, while Matsumoto topped the podium in the men's 100m fly.
Mizunuma, who was named captain, said, “This is my first time being captain of a national team.
“We have a lot of young players, so I want to be able to communicate well with them. I hope we can create a team that everyone can feel comfortable with.” (Daily Japan)
A total of 13 swimmers on the Japanese roster for the Paris Games will be first-time Olympians. Hanaguruma Yuu and Airi Mitsui.
Three swimmers are only 17 years old Mio Narita, Tatsuya Murasa and Mizuki Hirai.
