Akari Honda, who won the bronze medal in this event at the World Championships this year, won the third consecutive victory in the men's 200-meter butterfly of the Japan Student Championship, which determines the best university in Japan in swimming.
The Japan Student Championship, held at the Tokyo Tatsumi International Swimming Center in Koto Ward, Tokyo, held the second day of the competition on the 29th.
Of these, in the final of the men's 200-meter butterfly, Honda, a third-year student at Nihon University, who won a bronze medal in this event at the World Championships held in June this year, participated.
Honda was infected with the new coronavirus after the world championships, so he was not able to practice enough for this tournament, but he pulled away from the other players with a powerful stroke and finished in 1:54.06. Achieved three consecutive wins in time.
After the race, Honda said, "I was relieved that I was able to win."
In the women's 400m freestyle final, Kinki University sophomore Mimu Namba, who represented the world championships, broke through in the middle stage and took the lead, winning her second consecutive title with a time of 4:07.43.
In the women's 400-meter relay, Nihon University fourth-year student Rikako Ikee swam as the fourth swimmer.
Akari Honda "I'm relieved to be able to win"
Akari Honda, who won the men's 200m butterfly for the third time in a row, said, "I said I was going to win, but I was really relieved that I was able to do it, and I felt very relieved.I was worried about the final race. It was wiped out by one,” he recalled.
Also, regarding the situation after being infected with the new corona, "Until the middle of August, my body continued to feel a little sluggish and heavy, and I was more concerned about how to practice in this state and how to survive the tournament." He said that he was worried about the competition, but after the results of the race on the 29th, he said, "I think my body is solid, so after that, I believe in my body and feelings, and the team. I want to fight for two days," he said.
Nihon University Captain Rikako Ikee "One regretful word"
Rikako Ikee, captain of Nihon University's women's team, commented on her fourth-place finish in the 400-meter relay, saying, "I'm disappointed. I'm not satisfied with my swimming. As a result, I was unreliable as a captain,” he said.
Regarding the tournament that will be held until the 31st, she said, "I still have the medley relay and individual events, so I'm going to change my mind. I can't drag myself as captain, so I want to do my best again." was