Japan was one of many first nations to carry its 2024 Olympic Trials, with its week-long affair happening in March of this 12 months.
The Japanese Swimming Federation (JASF) launched its 27-strong Video games roster shortly after the meet concluded, with the lineup consisting of youngsters, veterans and a number of other athletes in between.
One of many veterans representing Japan in Paris simply weeks from now’s Daiya Seto, the 30-year-old searching for to land on the Olympic podium as soon as once more after incomes bronze within the 400m IM on the 2016 Video games in Rio.
At this 12 months’s Olympic Trials, Seto nailed Paris qualification within the males’s 200m IM, registering a time of 1:56.87.
Nevertheless, Seto fell brief within the 400m IM. His Trials time of 4:10.84 not solely completed in 2nd place behind winner Tomoyuki Matsushita (4:10.04) however it additionally missed the JASF-mandated Olympic Qualification Time of 4:10.63.
Flash ahead to the next month, nevertheless, and Seto certainly dipped underneath the OQT with a time of 4:10.44 posted on the Australian Open Championships in April. He participated within the Championships as he and countrymate Rikako Ikee have been coaching with Michael Bohl’s Griffith squad in Australia since final fall.
Seto’s improved time and the truth that he logged 4:09.41 for bronze finally 12 months’s World Championships has led the JASF so as to add the 400m IM to his Olympic lineup.
JASF chairman Takayuki Umehara acknowledged on the occasion dedication, “We primarily targeted on occasions chosen on the qualifying event. However, if we decided it’s higher to compete in occasions through which the athlete has surpassed the qualification time, we consulted with the nationwide staff coach and entered them.” (Each day Japan)
From Seto’s perspective, the versatile ace lately stated he’s in an excellent place each mentally and bodily.
He stated this week, “My situation and psychological state are bettering as we get nearer to the precise occasion [Paris 2024]. I’m excited.”
Seto reportedly has slimmed down and has misplaced almost 10 kg (22 lbs) throughout his time down underneath, a situation which he says makes it simpler to regulate his physique. (Kyodo Information)
He shared his perspective that, “I’m now a veteran and I don’t know what number of extra huge levels I’ve left.”
Nevertheless, Seto did convey that he’s aiming for this 12 months’s Quick Course World Championships slated for December in Budapest. There he might be aiming for an eighth consecutive medal-earning efficiency. He additionally advised Kyodo Information he might be aiming for a brand new world document within the 400m IM.
The present SCM 400 IM world document sits on the 3:54.81 Seto placed on the books on the 2019 Worldwide Swimming League (ISL) remaining.
Regardless, Seto stated, “I wish to get pleasure from it [Paris] to the fullest, obtain my private greatest, and swim in a manner that I’m happy with.” (Kyodo Information)
We’ll see Seto in motion on the Sette Colli Trophy in Italy slated for June twenty first – June twenty third in Rome, Italy.
