The final day of the Japan Student Championship, which decides the number one university in Japan for swimming, was held, and Shoma Sato, the representative of Japan for the Tokyo Olympics, won the men's 200-meter breaststroke for the third consecutive time.


In addition, Rikako Ikee of Nihon University, who is the representative of the Tokyo Games, participated in the women's 800-meter relay and won the tournament record.

The Japan Student Championship held at Tokyo Tatsumi International Swimming Pool in Koto-ku, Tokyo was held on the 4th and final day of the competition.



Of these, Sato, a third-year student at Keio University, participated in the men's 200-meter breaststroke as a representative of the Tokyo Olympics.



Sato, the Japanese record holder for this event, showed a big swim that made use of his powerful kick in the final, which advanced to 2nd place overall.



After taking the lead in the middle stage, he kept the top position and won the championship with a time of 2: 08.46.



Although he was about two seconds behind his Japanese record, he won the tournament for the third time in a row.

Sato "Winning in the 8-second range is a harvest"

Sato, who won the men's 200-meter breaststroke for the third time in a row, recalled, "It was a harvest that I was able to win in the 8-second range, even though I hadn't returned physically and technically after the Olympics." ..



Also, for next year's world championship, he said, "I think it will take 7 seconds or 6 seconds to get the representative right," and "Today, I was able to race in the first half of my personality. I didn't have it, so I want to do my best. "

Women's 800m relay

In the final of the women's 800-meter relay, Ikee, a third-year student at Nihon University, who is the representative of the Tokyo Games, participated as an anchor.



Ikee took over from the 3rd swimmer in 1st place, and turned back with a difference of about 1 body from the player of the 2nd place team in the first half.



In the second half, I finished by widening the gap.



The time was a new record of 8 minutes 0 seconds 49, and Nihon University won the championship for the first time in this event.



The overall ranking of the universities was also decided, with Nihon University first for boys, Kinki University second, Meiji University third, Kanagawa University first for girls, Nihon University second, and Nihon University of Physical Education third.

Ikee Aware of "swimming for everyone"

Ikee, who participated in the women's 800-meter relay anchor and won the championship, said, "" Anyway, I will win.

I talked to the members, "Let's play against the time, not the surroundings." I think I was able to swim at a good pace, conscious of swimming for everyone. "



He mentioned that the 4th grade was the last race. "When I was in the 1st grade, I couldn't get out because of illness and couldn't contribute to the team at all. With a smile, I wanted to retire because I thought "I enjoyed swimming" at the end, and I really wanted to convey that in this relay. I thought again that fighting for the team would be a great power. " I was talking with my eyes red.



In addition, after the tournament, Ikee, who was announced to be the female captain of the swimming club of Nihon University, commented, "I will do my best to grow further and produce results with responsibility and pride."