Japan’s Biggest Stars Take On Konami Open This Weekend

2018 KONAMI OPEN

  • Saturday, February 17th & Sunday, February 18th
  • Tatsumi International Swimming Center
  • Prelims at 9am local (7pm previous night EST)/Finals at 6pm local (4am EST)
  • LCM
  • Meet Site
  • Start Lists/Results

Konami Sports Club Co., Ltd. is hosting its annual Konami Open 2-day meet in Tokyo this weekend, with aspiring young athletes and seasoned pro swimmers alike taking to the Tatsumi International Swimming Center arena. Japan’s biggest names are expected to compete, with Kosuke Hagino, Daiya Seto, Rikako Ikee, Shinri Shioura and Katsumi Nakamura all listed among the entrants. Athletes are capitalizing on every opportunity to get high-profile racing in when they can, in light of both the Asian Games and Pan Pacific Championships taking place later this year.

Last year Shioura took both the men’s 50m and 100m freestyle event titles, clocking solid times of 22.08 and 48.75, respectively. Entering this year’s edition, however, Nakamura has been red hot after establishing himself as the nation’s top sprinter this season. 23-year-old Nakamura is positioned as the 2nd fastest swimmer in the world in both the 50m and 100m distances, registering a shiny new Japanese national record in the 50m free in 21.87 at the recent Kirara Cup.

In previous years of this event, Ikee has ripped off some of her fastest performances, including World Junior Records and a 100m fly national record. Now aged 17 and with Olympic and World Championships experience behind her, Ikee continues to lower marks across the sprint free and fly events, while edging into world-class territory in both the 200m free and 200m IM races as well.

Fans will be treated to battles in the men’s IM events between Olympic medalists Hagino and Seto, while Junya Koga tries to hold on to backstroke titles earned in past editions of the meet. We do know one winner from last year who will not be there, as Yasuhiro Koseki the breaststroker is still suspended for an alleged altercation at a training camp last fall.

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About Retta Race

Retta Race

Former Masters swimmer and coach Loretta (Retta) thrives on a non-stop but productive schedule. Nowadays, that includes having just earned her MBA while working full-time in IT while owning French 75 Boutique while also providing swimming insight for BBC.

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