The nation of Japan saw one of its most consistent swimmers in history hang up his goggles today as 34-year-old Rysouke Irie announced his retirement.
Irie made the decision after missing qualification for a 5th consecutive Olympic Games, falling short at the Japanese Olympic Trials last month.
At a press conference today, April 3rd, Irie spoke through tears, conveying, “I feel refreshed, somewhat frustrated, all mixed emotions.’
“I was a member of the Japan national team for 18 years. More than half of my life was with the Japanese national team, and I was able to grow up surrounded by people like home and family.
“I received support from many people, and I could not have come this far on my own. I would like to express my sincere gratitude.”
41-year-old multi-Olympic champion Kosuke Kitajima also made a surprise appearance at the press conference to show his gratitude and appreciation for Irie’s contributions to the sport over the years.
Irie has been a constant on the elite international backstroking scene for nearly 20 years, representing Japan since 2006.
2023 Fukuoka marked Irie’s 8th consecutive long course World Championships appearance and he raced at a remarkable 4 Olympic Games. Only fellow Japanese swimmers Kitajima and Takeshi Matsuda tie the 4 Games record.
Irie’s best Olympic performance came at the 2012 Olympic Games where he earned silver in the 200m back, bronze in the 100m back and silver in the men’s medley relay.
He remains the Japanese national record holder in the LCM 100 back (52.24, 2009) and 200 back (1:52.51, 2009).
Below are Irie’s career results as a testament to his longevity and consistency, despite falling short for Paris 2024.
Ryosuke Irie‘s Olympic Games Results in 100 Back
| YEAR | PLACE | TIME |
| 2008 | N/A | N/A |
| 2012 | Bronze | 52.97 |
| 2016 | 7th | 53.42 |
| 2020 | 9th | 53.21 |
Ryosuke Irie‘s Olympic Games Results in 200 Back
| YEAR | PLACE | TIME |
| 2008 | 5th | 1:55.72 |
| 2012 | Silver | 1:53.78 |
| 2016 | 8th | 1:56.36 |
| 2020 | 7th | 1:57.32 |
Ryosuke Irie‘s Long Course World Championships Results in 100 Back
| YEAR | PLACE | TIME |
| 2009 | 4th | 52.73 |
| 2011 | 3rd | 52.98 |
| 2013 | 4th | 53.29 |
| 2015 | 6th | 53.10 |
| 2017 | 4th | 53.03 |
| 2019 | 6th | 53.22 |
| 2022 | 7th | 52.83 |
| 2023 | 18th | 53.98 |
‘Ryosuke Irie‘s Long Course World Championships Results in 200 Back
| YEAR | PLACE | TIME |
| 2009 | 2nd | 1:52.51 *Current Asian Record |
| 2011 | 2nd | 1:54.11 |
| 2013 | 4th | 1:55.07 |
| 2015 | 4th | 1:54.81 |
| 2017 | 7th | 1:56.35 |
| 2019 | 5th | 1:56.52 |
| 2022 | N/A | N/A |
| 2023 | N/A | N/A |
congrats on an amazing career!!
Sad to see him go,
Legends retiring makes me feel old… hats off to an incredible career
Irie Ryosuke was famous for his incredibly smooth technique. There are other videos, but I found this one of his water bottle training:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HN0YYWeZH44
As legends go, the people who are inspired by them replace them. I believe we will see sooner than later, another amazing japanese backstroker.
If Rowdy’s statement that the prettiest stroke wins was true, this guy would be undefeated.
Absolute pleasure to watch, he will always be a legend in the sport.
did he go 1:52 in the 200 back when Piersol went nuclear in it?
Yea same race. It’s unfortunate that he had that swim at the same time as Piersol.
Fun fact: earlier in 2009 before Piersol and him both nuked the 200 bk WR at world champs, he actually went under the WR before Piersol did, but it was ruled ineligible because of the super suit he was wearing. I don’t know what changed between then and world champs because obviously Piersol WR still stands, but just a fun fact.
What time did he go then?
Piersol usually only wore a jammer for his backstroke races. Maybe this is why his stood? My memory is falling short for that period of record breaking constantly.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cslxxJU-A5U
I think this was the one
That and Alain Bernard was actually the first man to break 47, not Cesar Cielo, FINA had no idea what they were doing the whole super suit era.
Side note, I don’t believe today’s tech suits have matched the polyurethane body suits, but I do remember a major concern about the super suit era being how expensive it was…