2016 Japan Open: Day 1 Finals Recap

2016 JAPAN OPEN

Women’s 200 Fly

  • Japanese Record: 2:04.69
  1. Natsumi Hoshi, Japan, 2:08.55
  2. Ryoka Hasegawa, Japan, 2:08.62
  3. Sakiko Shimizu, Japan, 2:10.32

2015 world champion Natsumi Hoshi held on for the win in a very tight race with Ryoka Hasegawa, out-touchinger her by 0.07 2:08.55 to 2:08.62. Sakiko Shimizu touched 3rd in 2:10.32.

Men’s 200 Fly

  • Japanese Record: 1:52.97
  1. Daiya Seto, Japan, 1:54.14
  2. Seijin Sakai, Japan, 1:54.30
  3. Kantohi Yusuke, Toyo University, 1:57.54

Daiya Seto equalled his world #2 ranked time from earlier this year at the Olympic Trials to take the win over Seijin Sakai by 0.16. Seto won in 1:54.14, with Sakai close behind in 1:54.30. Seto led by over seven tenth of a second at the 150 before barely holding on for the win. After those two three men finished in 1:57.

Women’s 200 Free

  • Japanese Record: 1:57.37
  1. Chihiro Igarashi, Japan, 1:57.97
  2. Leah Neale, Australia, 1:58.60
  3. IkeKo璃花Ko, Japan, 1:58.80

Chihiro Igarashi came within 0.60 of the national record in the women’s 200 freestyle touching 1st in 1:57.97, with Australia’s Leah Neale not far behind for 2nd in 1:58.60. IkeKo璃花Ko was 3rd in 1:58.80.

Men’s 200 Free

  • Japanese Record: 1:45.23
  1. Cameron McEvoy, Australia, 1:46.41
  2. Kosuke Hagino, Japan, 1:46.43
  3. Gangwon Knight, Japan, 1:46.96

In arguably the best race of the night, Australian Cameron McEvoy out-touched Japan’s Kosuke Hagino by 0.02 for the win in the men’s 200 freestyle, 1:46.41 to 1:46.43. Hagino led through 100m, before McEvoy overtook him on the third length. Hagino closed the final 50 but it was not enough to catch McEvoy. Japan’s Gangwon Knight was 3rd in 1:46.96, and Australia’s Daniel Smith put up the 4th best time in 1:47.61.

Women’s 100 Back

  • Japanese Record: 58.70
  1. Au Hoi Shun, HKG, 1:00.70
  2. Natsumi Sakai, Japan, 1:00.74
  3. Belinda Hocking, Australia, 1:00.90

Au Hoi Shun of Hong Kong touched 1st in a very tight 100 back final, with Natsumi Sakai (JPN) and Belinda Hocking (AUS) right on her tail. Shun was 1:00.70 for the win, with Sakai (1:00.74) and Hocking (1:00.90) also getting under 1:01.

Men’s 100 Back

  • Japanese Record: 52.24
  1. Ryosuke Irie, Japan, 53.43
  2. Masaki Kaneko, Japan, 54.05
  3. Joshua Beaver, Australia, 54.08

Ryosuke Irie had no trouble picking up the win in the men’s 100 back as the only man under 54 seconds, touching in 53.43. A close battle for 2nd saw Masaki Kaneko (54.05) out-touch Joshua Beaver (54.08) by 0.03. Junya Koga settled for 4th in 54.83.

Women’s 100 Breast

  • Japanese Record: 1:05.88
  1. Kanako Watanabe, Japan, 1:06.75
  2. Taylor McKeown, Australia, 1:07.48
  3. Rie Kaneto, Japan, 1:07.66

The women’s breaststroke events were expected some of the best here at the Japan Open, and the 100 did not disappoint with many fast breaststrokers going at it. Kanako Watanabe picked up the win in 1:06.75 after going out like a rocket on the opening 50 in 31.59, while Australian Taylor McKeown (1:07.48) out-touched Rie Kaneto (1:07.66) for 2nd place by less than two tenths of a second.

Men’s 100 Breast

  • Japanese Record:58.90
  1. Yasuhiro Koseki, Japan, 59.89
  2. Ippei Watanabe, Japan, 1:00.14
  3. Kazuki Kohinata, Cenral Sports, 1:00.74

After going 1:00.00 in the prelims Yasuhiro Koseki managed to sneak under the minute barrier in the final clocking 59.89, with Ippei Watanabe not far behind in 1:00.14. 3rd went to Kazuki Kohinata in 1:00.74.

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MichaelTran
7 years ago

For me, men’s 200m free in Rio is the hardest race to predict. Who will win? James Guy, Sun Yang, Cam McEvoy, Hagino, Agnel,…. The 200m free always is my favorite event. I’m really want someone to go under 1:44 again in textile but that is not going to happen this year. So sad! Anyway, as a fan of McEvoy, i hope him to be a version of PVDH or Sarah Sjostrom and to win both 100/200m free!! :)))))

Shibly
Reply to  MichaelTran
7 years ago

he will lose both in RIO……ha ha hah

MichaelTran
Reply to  Shibly
7 years ago

If he loses the 100m free, who will win?? :)))))))

Quinn
Reply to  MichaelTran
7 years ago

Adrian or morozov

Quinn
Reply to  MichaelTran
7 years ago

Or maybe dressel..maybe

bobo gigi
Reply to  Shibly
7 years ago

McEvoy losing the 100 free?
Yes and Bolt losing the 100m and 200m too!
The US women’s basketball team not winning the gold medal!
Or a Kenyan not winning the men’s 3000m steeple!
Or Riner not winning the gold in judo!

Magnussen losing in London…. 😆

Quinn
Reply to  bobo gigi
7 years ago

I was just saying if mcevoy lost.

Irish Ringer
Reply to  bobo gigi
7 years ago

I think Bolt losing the 100m to Gatlin is more likely. People may not like Justin because he got caught a time or two, but it’s a very real possibility he beats Bolt this summer.

bobo gigi
Reply to  Irish Ringer
7 years ago

Bolt losing? I’m not particularly a fan of him but he will destroy everybody once again in Rio.

Irish Ringer
Reply to  MichaelTran
7 years ago

I think McEvoy takes this in Rio, Guy Silver, and Dwyer bronze. Yes, I said Dwyer, so stop leaving him off your short lists 🙂

The Colonel
7 years ago

Hey, What happened in W 800 and M 1500 free ?

bobo gigi
Reply to  The Colonel
7 years ago
iLikePsych
Reply to  bobo gigi
7 years ago

Women’s 800 free
1. Chida Asami 8:38.19
2. Kikuchi Yuuna 8:39.82
3. Moriyama Yukimi 8:39.91
4. Takahasi Mi 8:42.43
5. Satou Chinatsu 8:42.69

Men’s 1500 free
1. Hirai Ayatsugu15:11.05
2. Yoshida Shunya 15:13.21
3. Hirai Yasunari 15:17.54
4. Takeda Shogo 15:18.65
5. Toyoda Takeshi 15:28.95

Piewacket
Reply to  iLikePsych
7 years ago

Actually Women 800 Free was won by Tamsin Cook Aus in 8:36.76 Results appear at he bottom of the long timed final list.

Rafael
7 years ago

Will this meeting have relays?

About James Sutherland

James Sutherland

James swam five years at Laurentian University in Sudbury, Ontario, specializing in the 200 free, back and IM. He finished up his collegiate swimming career in 2018, graduating with a bachelor's degree in economics. In 2019 he completed his graduate degree in sports journalism. Prior to going to Laurentian, James swam …

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