At Japan’s Intercollegiate Championships, Kosuke Hagino just bettered his own national and continental 200 IM record by a hair, going 1:55.33 to win the event.
Hagino’s old record was 1:55.38, which he set back at the Japanese Championships in April. He’s been on fire so far this week, nearly breaking the national record in the 100 free leading off his team’s medley a day before cracking this record. Hagino also led off his team’s medley relay in a 52.78, just a half-second off a national record there.
The backstroke time is probably less important to Japan internationally, if only because the country already has Ryosuke Irie to man that spot in the medleys, and because of the strength of that event across the world. Still, it bodes very well for Hagino’s IMs, as versatility has always been his major strength. A guy who can compete internationally in both the IMs and races like the 100 free or 100 back is a key piece for any nation trying to build an international squad.
Fellow national star Daiya Seto was second in that 200 IM, going a 1:57.08, a very solid time as well.
In the women’s race, Sakiko Shimizu came up with a 2:11.92 to pick up the win by a half-second with Miho Teramura second (2:12.66).
The 200 frees also went off in this session, with Chihiro Igarashi coming from behind to win the women’s race in 1:59.07 and Olympian Yuki Kobori taking the men’s gold in 1:47.33.
Kenta Hirai came up with a big swim in the men’s 100 fly, going 52.27. After being nipped for the 200 fly title a day earlier, Hirai got a touchout of his own, with second-place Hirofumi Ikebata finishing .01 behind in 52.28. In the women’s race, Rino Hosoda led a quartet of women under a minute, going 59.12 for the win.
Danjohnrob, I’m sorry if I sounded nitpicky or negative. That’s the last thing I want or want to have to read from others. I will be more careful in the future.
It’s great to read such positive commentary about a future superstar. IMHO Hagino is one of the most exiting prospects for Worlds and Rio, by way of progression from current world leading times in the IM’s. Just a quick word on his 100free…..despite all of the chat on Michael Phelps’ 100 free and Hagino’s efforts they are basically no better that “King Chads” efforts which we all agree are nowhere near medalling, so there is noting to discuss. His middle distance efforts are much more interesting as they give you an idea of how good his 400IM could be.
Definitely not ahead of Phelps. Phelps was rewriting what’s possible at his age. We are over a decade later and he’s merely going similar times when the whole world is 2-3 seconds faster a 200. I do feel he’s the best in the world however.
ZFibster, If your comment was prompted by mine, I hope you understand that I only stated Hagino was ahead of Phelps in 2 ways: 1. In his first Olympics he won a medal; 2. At the World Championships prior to his second Olympics, Phelps had only reached times that would qualify him to represent the US in 4 individual events, but Hagino has the first or second best Japanese time in 6 individual events (as I stated above, all ranked in World top 4 currently except the 200 free, top7).
Looking at the results, I think Hagino led off the 4×200 relay in a 1’45″96 as well – a time that would have won him gold at the pan pacs. This makes me think that he’s using these meets to hone his skills as part of an extended taper before allowing himself to rest a lot more these two weeks leading to the AG
I agree with a few of the commenters here that Hagino is already the best all around swimmer in the world. My question is this: what are his goals. I have a theory! I’m sure others expect the same thing, but I haven’t yet read a post where anybody has spelled it out.
I believe Hagino’s long-term goal is to one up Phelps by winning 6 individual gold medals and competing in all 3 relays with the Tokyo Olympics, in front of a home crowd, his ultimate goal completion date. He seems to be following Phelps’ career as a blueprint; although, he may be using more race pace training methods with less yardage because he is able to swim fast… Read more »
While I agree he is ahead of the curve on qualifying on more events.. the problem is him targeting gold.. until now he did not show that he is able to face Agnel/Sun on 200 free and Sun on 400 free.. on 2015 worlds he will have Park battling for silver too.. and same for 100 back.. he will qualify but I do not see him winning these events.. and his endurance is still not at Phelps level..
He will need to show swimming a 1:44 mid to be able to medal on 200.. and his 400 free silver was only with a 3:44 high, now he already swam 3:43 high.. but to drop to a 3:40 to face… Read more »
Rafael, I’m not saying Hagino necessarily will succeed, I’m just saying I believe that this is his plan! I agree that Kosuke is going to have trouble matching Phelps’ gold count (in 2003, 4 gold) when he competes in Kazan and (in 2004, 6 gold) when he competes in Rio, but at the rate he and the Japanese relay teams are improving I wouldn’t be surprised if he won the same total medals (6) in Kazan and then tied the total (8) in Rio (I can’t imagine Japan winning a medal in the 4×100 free relay yet). What does he have to lose by trying? If he ultimately falls somewhat short, he’ll still certainly be a National hero, Japan’s greatest… Read more »
As for training techniques, the Japanese might / likely know about USRPT.
Hagino’s Times at 2015 Worlds:
(I’m not saying that he’ll swim all of the events, just ones that he might choose.)
~ 100 Free- 48.0-48.40
~ 200 Free- 1:44.0-1:45.0
~ 400 Free- 3:40.0-3:42.0
~ 100 Back- 52.0-52.75
~ 200 Back- 1:53.0-1:53.5
~ 200 IM- 1:54.4-1:54.9
~ 400 IM- 4:04.0-4:06.0
Some of the “low” bounds seem pretty ambitious. For instance, I don’t think 48.0, 1:44.0 and 3:40 are really on the table. Great sprinters can spend years trying to get to 48 low, there’s no way a medley man who has a 400 specialty does it. Conversely, only 2 400 free specialists ever have come close to 3:40 flat…that’s not going to happen. 3:41.9 would be a great accomplishment.
Likewise, the 100 back and 400 IM seems tough…4:04.0 is a TWR by a second and faster than Lochte or Phelps in 100% textile. I’d expect 4:05.9. And again, only 2 backstrokers ever have challenged the 52 barrier…I think Hagino can be 52.5 or 52.3 but not 52 flat
He has unreal versatility across 5+ events…remind anyone of a certain someone?
Hmm.. what did he swim in the 100 free? hadn’t heard of this
He lead of his universities relay in a 48.75
48.75 according to the results.
48.75
It ranks him 26th in the world in the event