Shin Ohashi Snares Title in 200 Breaststroke at Japan Swim; Rikako Ikee Grabs 50 Fly Crown
Over the past few years, Shin Ohashi has established himself as one of the most-promising youngsters in the sport, world-record potential undeniably possessed by the Japanese teenager. On Saturday, Ohashi continued to flash his talent when he won the 200-meter breaststroke in dominant fashion at the Japan Swim, a four-day competition unfolding in Tokyo and featuring many of Japan’s top stars.
The world junior record holder in the 200 breaststroke, Ohashi posted a winning time of 2:07.31. The mark was less than a second off Ohashi’s personal best, a 2:06.59, but it served as a promising performance en route to this summer’s Pan Pacific Championships. Ohashi was out in 28.72 and made the turn at the halfway point of the race in 1:01.77, before splitting 1:34.19 at the 150-meter turn. He was followed in second place by Yu Hanaguruma, who produced a mark of 2:09.71.
Another of Japan’s rising stars, 17-year-old Yumeki Kojima prevailed in the 200 backstroke, as he clocked 1:55.62 to claim a narrow triumph over Hidekazu Takehara, who checked in at 1:55.80. Kojima is best known for his ability in the individual medley events, and notably owns the WJR in the 400 IM. He was joined as a titlist in the 200 backstroke by Mio Narita, who won the women’s event in 2:09.82.
Four men cracked the 1:58 barrier in a tight final of the 200 individual medley, with Tomoyuki Matsushita emerging victorious in 1:57.28. Matsushita trailed Kosuke Makino heading into the final length by .42, but he rallied on the freestyle leg to prevail by .04, with Makino touching in 1:57.32. They were followed in third and fourth, respectively, by Yuta Watanabe (1:57.84) and Raito Numata (1:57.98).
Veterans Satomi Suzuki and Rikako Ikee walked away with wins. The 35-year-old Suzuki followed up a win in the 100 breaststroke with a title in the 200 distance. Suzuki was timed in 2:24.79, which was comfortably ahead of the 2:26.41 from Kotomi Kato. As for Ikee, she picked up a tight victory over Ai Soma in the 50 butterfly, both women breaking the 26-second barrier. Ikee got to the wall in 25.85, while Soma touched in 25.97.
Triumphs in the 100 freestyle finals went to Katsuhiro Matsumoto (48.55) and Nagisa Ikemoto (54.79).