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TOKYO: Four-time Paris Olympic champion Leon Marchand has identified Japanese swimmers as major rivals ahead of the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
Marchand made the comments while attending the Asian Games in Japan.
The Frenchman dominated the pool at the Paris Olympics in 2024. He won four individual gold medals and remains one of the leading swimmers heading towards Los Angeles.
Marchand has been following the progress of Japanese swimmers Shin Ohashi and Tomoyuki Matsushita.
He expects both athletes to challenge him in Los Angeles.
“I always look at what they do during the season because I need to keep informed of what’s happening in the swimming world,” Marchand said.
“They’ve been doing so well the past couple of years. It’s scary, but also exciting for me.”
Matsushita won gold in the 200-metre individual medley at the Asian Games.
He is also competing in the 400m individual medley, another event Marchand won in Paris.
Marchand holds the world records in both individual medley events. He broke records previously held by American swimming legend Michael Phelps.
The French star also praised 17-year-old Ohashi.
Ohashi won Asian Games gold in the 100m breaststroke after sharing the top spot with China’s Dong Zhihao.
The teenager has also attracted attention as a potential future world-record holder in the 200m breaststroke.
Marchand admitted that Ohashi’s progress has caught his attention.
“He’s still so young, his coach is really good, his entourage, the people around him are really good,” Marchand said.
“I hope he’s going to keep improving. I think his breaststroke is amazing.”
The Frenchman added that he was excited and nervous about facing the young Japanese swimmer.
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Marchand also praised Matsushita’s rapid development in the individual medley.
He believes the Japanese swimmer could become one of his main rivals over the coming years.
“I feel like the whole country is behind him, so I think it’s really cool,” Marchand said.
The Frenchman said he was looking forward to competing against Matsushita in upcoming events.
“I think he will be one of my main rivals, so I’m really excited for the future and I wish him the best,” he added.
Matsushita’s strong performance at the Asian Games has further highlighted Japan’s growing strength in individual medley events.
Marchand also spent time with young swimmers during a clinic at the Tokyo pool.
The event took place between the morning heats and evening finals.
Returning to Tokyo brought back memories of his first Olympic experience in 2021.
“I had a lot of emotions in that pool. I made my first Olympic final,” Marchand said.
He recalled feeling both nervous and happy while competing at his first Games.
Marchand also praised the atmosphere of the Olympic experience and the chance to meet athletes from different sports and backgrounds.
The French swimmer now has his sights firmly set on Los Angeles, where Japan’s emerging stars could provide some of his toughest competition.
[…] Leon Marchand Names Japanese Swimmers as LA 2028 Rivals […]