Tomoyuki Matsushita Leads Loaded Crop of Japanese 400 IMers; Will Competition Breed Charge?
In his last four major championships in the 400-meter individual medley, Leon Marchand has produced massive victories. The Frenchman’s winning margin at the 2022 World Championships was 2.28 seconds. The gap was 4.06 at the next year’s Worlds, then 5.67 at the 2024 Olympic Games. Most recently, Marchand earned gold at the World Champs in Singapore by 3.59 seconds.
There isn’t a weakness in Marchand’s arsenal, which limits where the opposition can make a move. So, what’s the approach to closing the gap? Maybe Japan has the answer, in the form of high-intensity domestic competition.
While Japan is known for its depth in the 200 breaststroke, the country currently features a wave of talent in the 400 IM, headlined by Tomoyuki Matsushita. Following in the footsteps of Kosuke Hagino and Daiya Seto, who were major factors on the international scene for years, Matsushita has been the silver medalist in the 400 medley at the 2024 Olympics and this summer’s World Champs.
Matsushita was candid after the World Championships, expressing disappointment in his silver-medal performance. He believed he could give Marchand a better challenge and make a run at the Japanese record of 4:06.05, which Hagino posted en route to the gold medal at the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro. Matsushita’s confidence could be a positive in his chase for Marchand.
“One of my goals was to at least win a medal, so I think I achieved the minimum result,” Hagino said. “But to be honest, I’m frustrated with the silver medal. I truly believed I would break the Japanese national record, so I feel a bit disappointed in myself. Still, I do feel that winning a silver medal is an honorable achievement. Last year’s silver was a happy one, but this time, the feeling of frustration welled up right after the race. I think that’s because I set higher goals for myself over the past year. In that sense, I feel that I’ve grown as an athlete.”
But there is plenty of pop beyond Matsushita, evident in the fact that Japan boasts eight athletes this year who have been 4:12-mid or faster. The United States is the only country that can counter that type of firepower and depth, thanks to a pair of 4:07 performers (Bobby Finke/Carson Foster) and five athletes at 4:12-mid or better.
Beyond Matsushita, 16-year-old Yumeki Kojima broke the world junior record last month, clocking 4:09.38 in high school competition, and 19-year-old Asaki Nishikawa has been 4:09.63. Also owning a personal best under 4:10 is Kosuke Makino, a 20-year-old who has gone 4:09.79.
Gasa Nishikawa leads the next tier of athletes in the event, thanks to his best of 4:10.80. He is followed by Raito Numata (4:12.10), Riku Yamaguchi (4:12.33) and Takumi Mori (4:12.54). Numata is a 16-year-old while Mori and Yamaguchi won gold and silver, respectively, at the World University Games.
Although Marchand boasts a sizable gap on his foes in the 400 IM, Japan has the proper setup to improve its standing in the event. With eight athletes contending for limited positions at international meets, competition should breed intense matchups and, consequently, time drops.
The battles will be worth watching.
