수영 첫 금메달의 주인공은 남자 400m 개인 혼영의 체이스 캐일리쉬

도쿄 아쿠아틱스 센터에서 열린 수영의 첫 결선 경기, 남자 400m 개인 혼영에서 미국의 체이스 캐일리쉬가 남자 금메달을 차지했습니다.

캐일리쉬는 중반까지 2위를 기록하고 있었지만, 강력한 후반 스퍼트로 4:09.42를 기록하며 가장 먼저 터치패드를 찍을 수 있었습니다.

같은 미국 대표팀의 동료, 제이 리더랜드는 은메달을 차지했고, 동메달은 호주의 브렌던 스미스가 목에 걸었습니다.

Kalisz joins Michael Phelps and Ryan Lochte as winners of this Olympic gold. He is hoping to re-establish the United States’ dominance in the event after Japan’s HAGINO Kosuke’s win at Rio 2016 interrupted a run of Olympic gold medals for the Americans that dated back to the 1996 Games in Atlanta.

"It is my lifelong dream. It is what everyone dreams of in the sport," said Kalisz. "I do feel like I let the US down in 2016, even though I swam faster here.

"The US has a proud legacy in the 400m individual medley. This was my redemption story.”

With Hagino opting not to defend the title to concentrate on the 200m individual medley instead, his compatriot SETO Daiya, the current world champion, was the pre-competition favourite.

But things did not go to plan for Seto in the heats and he finished the qualifications in 9th overall, missing out on a place in the final.

Kalisz, who won the silver medal in the event in Rio, became the favourite to claim the gold medal.

New Zealand’s Lewis Clareburt looked to have the better of Kalisz at the halfway point, only for the American to come roaring back, taking the lead going into the final 100 metres.

As Clareburt faded, Litherland and Smith, who swam an Oceanian Record of 4:09.27 in qualification, also made their moves.

But Kalisz held off his rivals to win his first Olympic gold medal and the first of United States’ campaign in Tokyo.

Great Britain’s Max Litchford and David Verraszto of Hungary finished joint fourth in 4:10.59.

Leon Marchand of France was sixth in 4:11.16. New Zealand’s Lewis Clareburt touched in seventh, only 0.06 behind Marchand. Italian Alberto Razzetti finished eighth in 4:11.32.