The 2023 World Championships are nearly upon us, with Fukuoka swimming action set to begin on July 23rd.
Athletes around the globe are putting bows on their final preparation for the biggest event outside of the Olympic Games, including Japan’s Olympic medalist Daiya Seto.
With Frenchman Leon Marchand in his sights in his pet IM events, 29-year-old Seto is coming off of a three-week-long training camp held at altitude in Flagstaff, Arizona. This stint mirrored the same trip he took in February/March of this year when he joined up with American rival Chase Kalisz.
Seto’s coach Takeshi Kato of Tokai University recently spoke with Sankei about Seto’s state of mind and re-focus with Fukuoka now just days away.
“He’s gained confidence,” said Kato.
“I was surprised. There was a great evolution of Daiya Seto. His personality has changed. In Flagstaff, Daiya was able to adapt quickly to the high altitude and was able to complete all the training sessions with high quality.”
Metaphorically, Kato described Seto as evolving from a ‘fluorescent lamp’ at the Tokyo Olympics to now embodying an ‘LED’, meaning he’s upgraded his efficiency and output.
“The way he [Seto] spent time off has also evolved. Unlike February and March, when he was shopping, sightseeing, and eating outside, this time he went to the sauna to rest.
“He tried not to eat too many stimulants. He was so conscious that he refused my invitation to go out to eat curry or something, saying, “I’ll hold off for a while.”
“Seto was able to spend a fulfilling three weeks with nutrition, exercise, and rest.” (Sankei)
Seto will need all his hard work to pour out into the pool when he faces Marchand, Kalisz, Carson Foster (USA), Wang Shun (CHN) and more in the 200m IM and 400m IM events.
Seto enters Fukuoka ranked #2 in the world behind Marchand in the 400m IM and 6th in the world in the 200m IM.
2022-2023 LCM Men 400 IM
Marchand
4:02.50 WR
| 2 | Daiya Seto | JPN | 4:07.92 | 04/04 |
| 3 | Carson Foster | USA | 4:06.56 | 07/23 |
| 4 | Chase Kalisz | USA | 4:08.22 | 06/29 |
| 5 | Ilya Borodin | RUS | 4:09.12 | 04/20 |
2022-2023 LCM Men 200 IM
Marchand
1:54.82
| 2 | Wang Shun | CHN | 1:55.55 | 05/01 |
| 3 | Duncan Scott | GBR | 1:55.95 | 07/27 |
| 4 | Shaine Casas | USA | 1:56.06 | 04/15 |
| 5 | Tom Dean | GBR | 1:56.07 | 07/27 |
| 6 | Carson Foster | USA | 1:56.19 | 07/01 |
Ah yes, the classic transition from Lamp to Chandelier
Seto’s implosion in 2020 was so sad. I would love to see him at his best again. He could give Leon a race.
2021. He was sizzling in 2020
Sorry – yes I meant after 2020. I still think he would have won both IMs if the Tokyo Olympics happened in 2020.
Probably would’ve gone 1:51 in the 200 fly as well. He definitely ranks high on the list of swimmers screwed the most by Covid
Skipping engaging in life activities like shopping and eating outside…?
Hoping it was lost in translation.
Next year he’ll be dealing with burnout otherwise
He just needs to go hard with no days off until Paris 😉
Seto’s Journey to Fukuoka’s Depths
In Fukuoka’s waters, the swimmers converge,
A gathering of talent, a stage to emerge.
The World Championships, a spectacle grand,
Where dreams take flight, guided by skilled hands.
Daiya Seto, a champion in his own right,
With Olympic medals shining so bright.
His preparation meticulous and true,
A journey that led him to skies of blue.
At Flagstaff’s altitude, he honed his might,
Training with focus, embracing the height.
A metamorphosis, a radiant glow,
From fluorescent lamp to LED’s show.
His coach spoke of his growth, a newfound grace,
Confidence blooming with each training space.
No longer indulging in distractions afar,
But sauna’s… Read more »
Man, stop with these lame gpt poems, this is cringe af
Come on, is not a bad poem (it gives a nice summary of the article) and we don’t want to discriminate AI entities here anyways
Yeah especially since we’re all going to work for them one day.
F*** chat gpt
No one asked for these poems
Please stfu
Shaping up to be exciting races