As the Japanese Olympic Trials roll on in Tokyo more women earned spot on the team heading to London while the men took the pool for a number of semifinals. It is clear through the first four days of competition that the Japanese standards in place have claimed a number of victims as there have been quite a few swimmers who have achieved the FINA A standard but can’t get under the Japanese mark. As evident in some of the women’s event the marks set by the Federation are quicker even then its national records. While the standards are there to get the fastest team possible it is leaving behind many top swimmers, including as we saw yesterday the 2009 world champion in the 100 back Junya Koga.
Women’s 100 Back
Standard: 1:00.48
Aya Terakawa took down her own national record on her way to the fastest time of the year in 59.10. That bettered her previous mark of 59.13 set back in 2010. Terakawa took silver in this event at the 2010 Pan Pacific Championships behind Australia’s Emily Seebhom and looks to again be in a battle with Seebohm along with a host of others in London. This event could be one of the most wide open races on the women’s side at the moment with a number of swimmers in contention for the title on any given day.
Second place went to Shiho Sakai in 1:00.50, a heartbreaking .02 off the time she needed to earn the second spot. She was faster in semifinals with a 1:00.45 but it still unknown if the Japanese Swimming Federation will add her to the team based on that swim.
Third went to Noriko Inada in 1:00.57. At 33 Inada was looking for a fourth trip to the Olympics after first competing back in 1992 as a 13 year old. She also competed in 2000 and 2004 and has most recently been competing the as a US masters swimmer while training in Phoenix.
Women’s 200 Fly
Standard: 2:07.77
Natsumi Hoshi sky rocketed to the top of the world rankings with a blistering 2:04.69. That time blasted her own national record from last year’s world championships of 2:05.91. She also moves ahead of Britain’s Ellen Gandy on the top times of 2012. She nearly posted the best ever textile time as she edged closer to the 2:04.40 from China’s Liu Zige.
As great at Hoshi’s swim was she will be going to London alone in this event as second place finisher Masami Uchikoshi touched in 2:09.24 to miss the time needed for qualification. Not only did that time miss the tough Japanese standard but it was also slower than the FINA A standard. Third went to Yuka Kato, the 100 fly champion and already a member of the team, in 2:09.57.
Women’s 200 IM
Standard: 2:12.41
Izumi Kato took the win in 2:11.79 to earn the lone Olympic berth in the event. Kato, the gold medalist in this event at last year’s World University Games now sits in the top 10 this year.
Second went to Miho Teramura in 2:12.95 but as she finished off the qualifying mark she will not make the Olympic team in this event. While the time does clear the FINA mark needed the Japanese have been adamant about sticking with their qualifying marks and Teramura looks to be out of luck.
Semi-Finals
It was Takuro Fujii who led the men in the 100 free semifinals. A member of the 400 free relay in Beijing Fujii touched the wall in 49.12 to earn the top seed in tomorrow’s final. Taking second was Shinri Shiora in 49.72 while Kazuki Nagura was third in 49.90. Both Ranmaru Harada (49.91) and Katsumi Nakamura (49.95) cleared 50 seconds during the race and all will be vying for the two individual berths along with relay spots up for grabs however all must drop time to get an individual spot as the Japanese qualifying mark sits at 48.28.
On the women’s side Yayoi Matsumoto will take the fast lane into tomorrow’s 100 free final with a top ranked time of 54.37. That time is just .04 off the Japanese national record. Right behind her was Haruka Ueda who touched in 54.55. Third went to Hanae Ito in 55.18. A number of other swimmers are still in contention for a top four finish tomorrow. The Japanese qualifying standard is set at 54.07 meaning the ladies must be quicker tomorrow for a shot at racing this event individually in London.
Takeshi Matsuda looks to add his specialty the 200 fly to his Olympic program as he continues to build momentum through the first two rounds. Matsuda took the semifinals in 1:54.19 to move into first in the world this year in the event. That knocks off the previous top time from Australia’s Nick D’Arcy of 1:54.71. Hidemasa Sano, the Japanese record holder in the SC 200 IM was second at 1:55.90. Third went to Ryosuke Sakata in 1:56.00. A number of other swimmers are still within reach of a top two finish in the finals but will need to be under 1:55.65 to earn the spot.
Ryo Tateishi looks to battle with Kosuke Kitajima in the final of the 200 breaststroke tomorrow. Tateishi took the semifinals in 2:09.02 with Kitajima clipping at his heels at 2:09.25. Both men look to be the favorites in the finals with the top two times on the year but youngster Akihiro Yamaguchi is waiting in the wings for an upset attempt as he touched third in 2:10.41 to set a new Japanese junior national record.