Matsumoto Katsuhiro fires warning shot with 200m free Japan record

Japanese swimmer Matsumoto Katsuhiro improved his 200-metre freestyle national record to comfortably qualify for the Tokyo Olympic Games in 2021.

The man they call Katsuo - the Japanese word for tuna fish bonito - finished almost three seconds ahead of his nearest rival on the third day of the Olympic trials at Tokyo Aquatics Centre.

Matsumoto touched the wall in 1 minute, 44.65 seconds - also the world’s best this year - shaving 0.48 off the previous fastest mark.

The 2019 world silver medallist’s match-up with Hagino Kosuke failed to live up to the hype, as Matsumoto blew away the reigning 400 individual medley Olympic champion - who finished in 1:47.72.

Matsumoto was brimming with confidence afterward, knowing Monday’s time would put him in gold-medal territory at this summer’s Games.

It also would have sent him to the top of the podium in Gwangju, South Korea, two years ago.

“I just trusted myself and the work I’ve been putting in all long”, Matsumoto said.

“The time I put up today gives me great confidence.

“I couldn’t be happier qualifying for my first Olympics and breaking the Japan record at the same time.

“The postponement has turned out to be a plus for me. I think if I can swim under 1:44.5, I have a real shot at the gold.

“I’m going to work ’til I die so I can knock off a few tenths of a second more off my time”.

Hagino secures 4x200 freestyle relay berth

Teenager Yanagimoto Konosuke was runner-up in 1:47.45.

The 17-year-old, plus Hagino and fourth-placed Takahashi Kotaro (1:47.93) will form Japan’s 4x200 freestyle relay team at Tokyo 2020.

The combined time of the top four met the qualifying standard of 7:08.31.

Hagino - who opted not to defend his Olympic 400 IM title - was far from thrilled but glad he will be competing on home soil in his third Games.

Hagino’s true test will come on Thursday (8 April), when he has the 200 IM/backstroke double-header.

“No matter how I do it and no matter what I look like in doing it, I just wanted to get to the Olympics”, Hagino said.

“I have not been swimming great the last few years so to be at the trials again means a lot.

“Matsumoto took us all home but it’s not as bad as it looks”.

Irie punches 4th ticket to Games

Veteran Irie Ryosuke joined some a very select group by qualifying for his fourth Olympic Games, winning the 100m backstroke in 53.13.

The 31-year-old became one of only three in Japanese aquatics history to make the Olympic team four times, alongside two-time double breaststroke champion Kitajima Kosuke and four-time medallist Matsuda Takeshi.

Irie said he was inspired by Ikee Rikako qualifying for the 4x100 medley relay, two years after being diagnosed with leukemia and seven months after returning to competition.

“I was so inspired watching Rikako yesterday”, he said of his long-time teammate who won the 100 butterfly.

“And I think she showed the true power of sport and the kind of influence it can have on people.

“That’s the kind of race I hope to have at the Games”.

Konishi Anna will partner Ikee on the women’s 4x100 after winning the 100 backstroke in 59.93.

Watanabe Kanako and Aoki Reona also qualified from the 100 breast, finishing one-two in 1:06.51 and 1:06.56, respectively.