Japanese Men Break Asian Games Record In 800 Free Relay

SWIMMING AT THE 2018 ASIAN GAMES

The Japanese team of Naito EharaReo SakataKosuke Hagino and Katsuhiro Matsumoto broke the Asian Games Record to win gold in the men’s 800 free relay to finish off day 2 finals in Jakarta, as they held off the Chinese team (7:05.47) in 7:05.15.

The swim broke their 2014 record of 7:06.74, with Hagino the only returning member from that team. Japan has now won this relay 16 times at the Asian Games, with the only non-Japanese win coming in 2010 when China claimed gold.

The race was fairly close early, but Hagino gave Matsumoto a bit of a lead heading into his anchor leg against Sun Yang. Matsumoto was very aggressive on the front-end, splitting 23.44 and 50.14 at the 50 and 100 walls, and managed to hold off Sun on the last 50 by just three-tenths.

Record Splits

Sun anchored China in 1:44.19.

Japan’s swim was much quicker than they were recently at the Pan Pacific Championships, where they won bronze in 7:08.07. Their 7:05.15 moves them ahead of European Championship medalists Great Britain (7:05.32), Russia (7:06.66) and Italy (7:07.58), and puts them 3rd in the world behind Pan Pac gold and silver medalists U.S. and Australia. Japan has never won a World Championship medal in this event and hasn’t won an Olympic medal in it since 1960.

The Singaporean team won bronze in 7:14.15, breaking their National Record. They were led by Zheng Wen Quah, who led them off in 1:48.31, and Joseph Schooling, who had a very impressive split of 1:46.66 swimming second.

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Love to Swim
5 years ago

Video of the race

https://youtu.be/WrFXWtpvZpE

Bobthebuilder
5 years ago

1.44.19 relay anchor time, this is a lot faster than Sun’s individual 200 free. Perfect example how relay motivates people.

Love to Swim
5 years ago

Japan (7:05.15) beat GBR time from Euro (7:05.32). The Chinese are also very close.

And USA and Australia times from Pan Pacs beat GBR time as well.

It will be tough for GBR to medal next year at Gwangju, let alone defend their Worlds title.

Dee
Reply to  Love to Swim
5 years ago

It will. A lot will rest on the big two. We know they have both previously split a lot faster than what we saw in Glasgow, but James guy can be quite hit & miss at big meets it seems. The positive this year for GBR is undoubtedly Thomas Dean and with his rate of improvement I have high hopes for another man capable of a 1.45 leg come 2020. I’d also say nobody looks away from the pack in the 4×200 right now and it will be tough for any team to medal.

DRESSEL IS GOD
5 years ago

Wow, Townley’s relay split was faster than Sun’s

Bear drinks beer
Reply to  DRESSEL IS GOD
5 years ago

But Haas didn’t swim 800 free on the same day.

NEWTOSWIMSWAM
Reply to  DRESSEL IS GOD
5 years ago

Sun Yang just swam 800 (and won) in the same session!!

Love to Swim
5 years ago

Men’s 200 IM final:

https://youtu.be/zqmriffW0Nw

WV Swimmer
5 years ago

Is schooling on for this meet? Maybe👀

Love to Swim
Reply to  WV Swimmer
5 years ago

He looked good actually. He must be, for Singapore and Asian countries in general, this is THE meet that matters after the Olympics.

WV Swimmer
Reply to  Love to Swim
5 years ago

I’m rooting for him really, he’s an incredible talent and if he could get back to 50.3 form it makes everything more interesting, if he’s 1:46.6 as well, could we see a 47.9 split? or quicker?

Verram
5 years ago

Anyone know the relay splits?

Bear drinks beer
Reply to  Verram
5 years ago

Japan
Naito Ehara 1.47.31
Reo Sakata 1.46.51
Kosuke Hagino 1.46.50
Katsuhiro Matsumoto 1.44.85

China
Ji Xinjie 1.47.58
Shan Keyuan 1.47.15
Wang Shun 1.46.53
Sun Yang 1.44.19

gator
Reply to  Bear drinks beer
5 years ago

Wow – fantastic swim by Matsumoto !!

UUB
Reply to  Verram
5 years ago

Japan
1:47.31 1:46.51 1:46.50 1:44.85

China
1:47.58 1:47.15 1:46.53 1:44.19

Singapore
1:48.31 1:46.66 1:49.23 1:49.95

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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