Ryosuke Irie, 19, completed a backstroke treble on the final day of the Japan Open. His 25.27sec win in the 50m backstroke at the Tokyo Tatsumi International Swimming Center came after victories over 100m and 200m, in which the swimmers had aimed for the world record but missed his mark by a significant margin.

In the 50m. Irie’s time was 0.82sec adrift the national record set by Junya Koga. Such things mid-season would normally merit scant mention, with swimmers at different stages of preparations for the big meet of the summer. However, in 2008 and 2009, “fast suits” have transformed the nature of the traditional season, with the world, continental and national record books under constant assault as apparel helped to enhance performance in significant way. 

 Irie established the world best time of 1:52.86 over 200m backstroke in Canberra last month but the time is unlikely to ever count as a world record because the suit he wore – a Descente Aquaforce – was not approved for use by FINA. Irie stated before the Japan Open that he wanted to proved that he could do his fastest times without the suit. He could not prove that. What he proved was that he is a world-class swimmer and a tremendous talent. And that much we knew.

In other action in the pool Sunday, Shiho Sakai also completed a backstroke treble, winning the 50m in 28.03. Tomoyo Fukuda took the women’s 200m medley in 2:12.44, second-best ever by a Japanese woman. Yuko Nakanishi claimed a double by adding the 200 butterfly, in 2:07.51, to the 100m she won on Friday. One of the most impressive races was the 200m breaststroke: Megumi Taneda clocked 2:24.44 ahead of Naoko Fukudome, on 2:25.31 and Keiko Fukudome on 2:26.01.

Japanese reports of the meet make constant reference to the fact that “not a single national record was set” during the meet. Under other circumstances, emphasis would be on the fact that there were many terrific performances and the racing was tight. However, the fast suits, the pace of record-setting of late and the fact that the Japanese federation allowed its entire national team to wear a suit that had never been approved by FINA are the reasons why such references are necessary. That’s where swimming is this season.

Results at a glance:

Men

50m freestyle: 1. Makoto Ito 22.43sec. 50m backstroke: 1. Ryosuke Irie 25.27; 2. Shohei Uchida and Masafumi Yamaguchi 25.52. 200m breaststroke: 1. Ryo Tateishi 2:09.94;  2. Ryosuke Shimada 2:10.20;  3. Naoya Tomita 2:10.33. 100m butterfly: 1. Takuro Fujii 52.27; 2. Ryo Takayasu 52.70; 3. Shinpei Irie 52.73. 200m individual medley: 1. Ken Takakuwa 1:58.68; 2. Yosuke Mori 1:59.82;  3. Yuma Kosaka 2:00.09.

Women

50m freestyle: 1. An Yumoto 25.52. 50m backstroke: 1. Shiho Sakai 28.03;  2. Aya Terakawa 28.11; 3. Miyuki Takemura 28.26. 200m breaststroke: 1. Megumi Taneda 2:24.44; 2. Naoko Fukudome 2:25.31; 3. Keiko Fukudome 2:26.01. 200m butterfly:  1. Yuko Nakanishi 2:07.51;  2. Yui Miyamoto 2:09.51; 3. Yai Watanabe 2:09.67.  200m individual medley: 1. Tomoyo Fukuda 2:12.44;  2. Naoko Sakai 2:13.87; 3. Yoko Nakaoka 2:14.48.

Via: Vraig Lord, Swim News