Kanako Watanabe turned in the seventh best time in the world this year on her way to victory in the 200 IM. She touched in 2:10.53. Miho Teramura earned runner up honors in 2:11.52. Sakiko Shimizu, who owns the sixth world ranking in 2:10.51, settled for third in 2:11.93.
Kousuke Hagino posted the second best 200 IM in the world this year, with a 1:56.13, only slower than his own top ranked performance of 1:55.07. Daiya Seto was the only other swimmer under two minutes, stopping the clock in 1:58.35. Keita Sunama completed the podium with a 2:01.07.
Emi Moronuki won gold in the women’s 50 backstroke, stopping the clock in 28.14. Masumi Takaba earned silver in 28.60 and bronze went to Mayuko Mori in 28.78. Exhibition swimmers Kaylee McKeown (28.27) and Stephanie Au (28.53) posted the second and third fastest times.
Junya Hasegawa out touched Syunichi Nakao 25.44 to 25.45 for 50 backstroke victory. Third place went to Takashi Morinaga in 25.59.
Though well off her world leading 23.84, Cate Campbell posted by far the fastest 50 freestyle of the day, finishing in 24.31. That’s the fifth best in the world this year. Fellow Australian Shayna Jack stopped the clock in 25.02, the second best time of the field. Officially, Miki Uchida won the event in 25.25 while Sayuki Ouchi took runner up honors in 25.48 and Yayoi Matsumoto took third with a 25.66.
Cameron McEvoy recorded the third fastest 50 freestyle of the year in 21.61, just shy of his second ranked 21.44. James Magnussen clocked a 22.31, the third fastest overall time of the meet. Katsumi Nakamura officially won the event in 22.26. Shinri Shioura won silver with a 22.34 and in 22.56 Junya Koga took home bronze.
Japan’s butterfly power Rikako Ikee followed up her 50 victory with a 57.57 for the 100 crown. Natsumi Hoshi and Suzuka Hasegawa were also under 59 seconds, touching in 58.94 and 58.98.
Takeshi Kawamoto stopped the clock in 52.36 to claim the men’s 100 butterfly title. Masayuki Kishida touched in 52.59 and Masayuki Umemoto placed third with a 52.84.
Rie Kanetou delivered the world’s second fastest 200 breaststroke this year, in 2:20.93, only behind her own 2:19.65. Kanako Watanabe posted a 2:23.71 to secure second and Runa Imai wound up third in 2:26.48.
Ippei Watanabe stopped the clock in 2:09.22 to earn men’s 200 breaststroke gold. Daiya Seto finished second in 2:10.05 and Yasuhiro Koseki swam a 2:10.09 for third.
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Japan enter the Rio arena in pretty good shape by my reckoning! It’s going to be a stellar swimming event where ONCE AGAIN winning medals will be among the most well earnt!!
What is the pedigree/mental strength of this crop of Japanese dolphins?! Hagino has plenty of hunger…and pent up, unfinished business to attend to! After that injury pre Kazan 2014, anyone in his way will have to bring their A game!
Britain have Peaty, Guy, Halsall, O Connor, Carlin, Miley, Murdoch and some very strong medley relay power! The land of the rising sun, I believe, talent wise, can match them. How are they mentally when the fight for medals..and the top podium, begins? USA & Aus are the Barcelona and Bayern/Madrid. Will Japan produce the Athletico Simeone spirit?!!