2024 JAPANESE OLYMPIC TRIALS
- Sunday, March 17th – Sunday, March 24th
- Tokyo Aquatics Center
- LCM (50m)
- Japan’s Olympic Selection Criteria
- Entries
- SwimSwam Entries Post
- Preview #1 / Preview #2
- Day 1 Prelims Recap | Day 1 Finals Recap
- Day 2 Prelims Recap| Day 2 Finals Recap
- Day 3 Prelims Recap| Day 3 Finals Recap
- Day 4 Prelims Recap| Day 4 Finals Recap
- Day 5 Prelims Recap|Day 5 Finals Recap
- Live Result
- Livestream
After a quiet day four at the Japanese Olympic Trials, day five brought about four additional qualifiers for the 2024 Games in Paris, France.
The men’s 200m fly saw a personal best thrown down by winner Genki Terakado, with the Nihon University junior putting up a time of 1:54.07 for the victory.
That was enough to get to the wall ahead of Olympic silver medalist and reigning world champion Tomoru Honda who settled for silver in 1:54.18.
Both men dipped under the Japanese Swimming Federation (JASF)-mandated selection standard of 1:55.27. This marks Terakado’s first Olympic squad qualification and he was in celebratory tears after the race.
On his performance, Terakado stated, “I had decided not to try too hard until I reached 150, then I gave it my all in the last touch.
“Yesterday, in the qualifying and semi-finals, I wasn’t able to do the race that I expected…I’m glad I was able to bounce back today and qualify for the Olympics.” (Sponichi)
Two men also qualified for Paris in the 200m breaststroke, with former world record holder Ippei Watanabe leading the way in a blistering 2:06.94. That marked his fastest time since 2019 and serves as redemption for missing out on the Tokyo Games.
Behind him was 2022 World Championships silver medalist Yu Hanaguruma who earned an Olympic berth in 2:07.07.
Last fall Hanaguruma left coach Norimasa Hirai and transitioned to coach Toru Horinouchi under whom Honda also trains.
As for Watanabe, the 27-year-old said post-race, “I’m happy to have won the right to represent the country for the first time in eight years.
“Honestly, I thought I’d have a better time. There are some regrets.” (Sponichi)
Japanese Individual Olympic Qualifiers Through Day 5 of Trials
- Tomoyuki Matsushita – Men’s 400m IM, 4:10.04
- Mizuki Hirai – Women’s 100m fly, 56.91
- Rikako Ikee – Women’s 100m fly, 57.30
- Mio Narita – Women’s 400m IM, 4:35.40
- Ageha Tanigawa – Women’s 400m IM, 4:35.60
- Katsuhiro Matsumoto – Men’s 200m free, 1:45.29
- Satomi Sazuki – Women’s 100m breast, 1:05.91
- Reona Aoki – Women’s 100m breast, 1:05.93
- Genki Terakado – Men’s 200m fly, 1:54.07
- Tomoru Honda – Men’s 200m fly, 1:54.18
- Ippei Watanabe – Men’s 200m breast, 2:06.94
- Yu Hanaguruma – Men’s 200m breast, 2:07.07
If a Japanese swimmer makes the JASF cut in one event, can they swim other events at the Olympics if they make the FINA cuts in those events?
It’s up to the JASF, but the JASF probably will, especially if they want the swimmers to be in tip-top shape for relays.
Ex.
Ikee might swim the 50 and 100 Free even if she doesn’t hit the qualifying standard because they want her to be in good condition for the Medley Relay as the freestyle.
Matsumoto has a good chance of swimming the 100 Free for the 400 Medley Relay since they have two other swimmers who are capable of going 51 lows in the 100 Fly.
Watanabe and Hanaguruma will likely swim the 100 Breaststroke to prepare for the 200 Breaststroke and the 400 Medley Relay.
It’s really unfair because it contradicts the conditions lined… Read more »
In only 7 events.
Men’s 100 fly should be a pretty good race between Mizunuma, Kawamoto, and Matsumoto.
With Matsumoto looking a bit off of his best in the sprints I think there’s a chance that he may get shut out of that event by the resurgent Kawamoto and Mizunuma, both of whom have been at least 51.5 in season