Japanese Olympic Trials: Day 3 Recap
5 more swimmers punched their ticket to Paris with a few others likely getting relay spots.
Women's 400m IM:
1. Mio Narita - 4:35.40 Q
2. Ageha Tanigawa - 4:35.60 Q
3. Waka Kobori - 4:36.55
This was the one race that the JASF didn't set a harder time the than AQUA OQT. As a result 3 swimmers went under the mandated time with Narita and Tanigawa earning spots for Paris. Defending Olympic Champion, Yui Ohashi finished 4th (under the qualifying time) and won't defend her title.
Men's 200m Freestyle:
1. Katsuhiro Matsumoto - 1:45.29 Q
2. Konosuke Yanagimoto - 1:46.84
3. Tatsuya Murasa - 1:47.57
4. Hidenari Mano - 1:47.86
The top 4 swimmers did enough to secure a relay spot for Japan and will most likely be nominated for the Olympic team. Matsumoto will swim the event individually after doing enough to meet the JASF QT. Hidenari Mano had been under the AQUA OQT during the qualification period but was only 4th today.
Men's 100m Backstroke:
1. Riku Matsuyama - 53.72
For the first time in over 10 years, 34 year old Ryosuke Irie lost a domestic final in the 100m backstroke and is in jeopardy of not qualifying for Paris. Instead it was Matsuyama who produced a big PB to take first place and a potential medley relay spot.
Women's 100m Breaststroke:
1. Satomi Suzuki - 1:05.91 Q
2. Reona Aoki - 1:05.93 Q
At 33 years old, London 2012 bronze medalist Satomi Suzuki produced a new PB to win the race and qualify for Paris. Reoan Aoki also produced a good time to qualify.
Women's 200m Freestyle:
1. Waka Kobori - 1:58.22
2. Rio Shirai - 1:58.27
3. Hiroko Makino - 1:58.42
4. Nagisa Ikemoto - 1:58.51
Like the in the men's event, the top 4 women did enough to secure Japan's spot in the 4x200m freestyle relay. They'll likely be nominated for selection.
Updated probable Japanese Olympic Team (15 athletes)
Men (5):
Hidenari Mano - 4x200m Freestyle Relay
Katsuhiro Matsumoto - 200m Freestyle, 4x200m Freestyle Relay
Tomoyuki Matsushita - 400m IM
Tatsuya Murasa - 4x200m Freestyle Relay
Konosuke Yanagimoto - 4x200m Freestyle Relay
Women (10):
Reona Aoki - 100m Breaststroke
Mizuki Hirai - 100m Butterfly
Rikako Ikee - 100m Butterfly
Nagisa Ikemoto - 4x200m Freestyle Relay
Waka Kobori - 4x200m Freestyle Relay
Hiroko Makino - 4x200m Freestyle Relay
Mio Narita - 400m IM
Rio Shirai - 4x200m Freestyle Relay
Satomi Suzuki - 100m Breaststroke
Ageha Tanigawa - 400m IM