After the dust settled from the 2024 Japanese Olympic Trials, a roster of 27 athletes was announced to represent the nation at this year’s Games in Paris.
A prominent name was missing from the lineup of veterans and high schoolers, as Takeshi Kawamoto missed qualification for the squad.
29-year-old Kawamoto’s highest finish at the trials came in the 100m fly where placed 4th in a time of 51.59.
Shortly after his swim, the racing mainstay announced his retirement from competitive swimming. (Jiji Press)
This decision was in the works for some time, albeit under different conditions. The 50m fly national record holder revealed last summer that he intended to hang up his goggles after the Paris 2024 Games.
He said last July, “I’m already planning to retire in Paris, so I’m spending my days with the feeling that I really have to cherish each and every day in order to reach the culmination of my work.” (The Answer)
The 1fly was the event in which Kawamoto represented Japan at the 2020 Olympic Games. In Tokyo, Kawamoto of Toyota Motor Corporation failed to meet his expectations, ranking 20th with a heats swim of 51.93, despite ranking as Japan’s 3rd fastest 100m flyer of all-time with a lifetime best of 51.00 from the semi-finals of Olympic Trials.
Making the 100m fly team for Paris were Katsuhiro Matsumoto (50.96) and Naoki Mizunuma (51.23).
congrats on a great career!