With preparations for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics looming, Japan will be building for the future by sending a strong contingent to the Asian Games.
From marathoner Naoko Takahashi to judoka Ryoko Tamura and swimmer Kosuke Kitajima, Japan has seen numerous Olympic gold medalists start their careers at the Asian Games and is hoping many future starts emerge from the event that starts tomorrow in Incheon, South Korea.
“Over the years, many famous Japanese athletes have launched their careers at the Asian Games,” said Tsuyoshi Aoki, chef de mission of the Japanese delegation at Incheon. “With our preparations for Tokyo 2020 underway, we see these games as a great opportunity to develop our athletes of the future.”
A total of 715 athletes will represent Japan, with swimming and track and field providing the bulk of the delegation.
In the pool, 20-year-old swimmer Kosuke Hagino, who should be hitting his prime when Tokyo hosts the Olympics, will be counted on to help Japan challenge powerhouse China.
Hagino, who beat Michael Phelps in the 200m medley final at the Pan Pacific Championships in Australia last month, is entered in six individual events at Incheon and will be a gold medal contender in most of them.
Other swimmers to watch are Pan Pacific backstroke gold medalist Ryosuke Irie and Yasuhiro Koseki, who won gold in the 100m and 200m breaststroke last month in Australia.
Four-time Olympic gold medalist Kosuke Kitajima failed to meet the qualifying standard in the men’s 100m breaststroke when he finished third at the Japan Open this summer.
In athletics, dual 100m and 200m national record holder Chisato Fukushima and Berlin World Championships javelin bronze medalist Yukifumi Murakami are among Japan’s top medal contenders.
Yuki Kawauchi, who has earned the nickname “Citizen Runner” because he works as a municipal employee in Saitama Prefecture while pursuing his marathon career, will be among Japan’s best hopes for a medal in men’s marathon.
The 18-year-old Kiryu, bidding to be the first from his country to run the 100m in less than 10 seconds, was injured in a 200m race in Japan earlier this month.
Japan is also expecting big medal hauls in judo and women’s wrestling.
Saori Yoshida, a three-time Olympic gold medalist in women’s wrestling, just won her 12th consecutive title at the world championships. She will be bidding for her fourth straight gold medal at the Asian Games.
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