Natsumi Sakai is a competitive swimmer who represents Japan internationally.
International Competition
2016 Olympic Games
In Rio, at the age of 15, Sakai competed in the 100 backstroke, finishing 26th overall with a time of 1:01.74. She also swam on Japan’s 4×100 medley relay, which placed 10th overall.
2018 Pan Pacific Championships
At a home games in Tokyo, Sakai won her first international medal, a bronze in the 4×100 medley relay, which also broke the Japanese national record. She also swam the 100 back individually, where she placed 6th (59.33) and the 200 back where she placed 7th (2:08.18).
2018 Asian Games
Sakai continued her impressive summer in Jakarta, where she medaled individually in all 3 backstrokes events. In the 50, she won a bronze with a time of 27.91. In the 100, she won her first international gold in a time of 59.27. In the 200, she won silver to complete her hat trick of individual medals with a time of 2:08.13. She also won medals as part of Japan’s 4×100 free and medley relays, both of which set new games and national records.
