Double Olympic silver medallist Duncan Scott is looking forward to racing Kosuke Hagino when London Roar get their second match of the International Swimming League under way on Friday.
Hagino won the IM double as Tokyo Frog Kings made their ISL debut last weekend in a thrilling match where they traded the lead with LA Current.
The Frog Kings led going into the skins – a series of knockout races where the remaining two swimmers go head to head – only for the Current to come through.
Hagino won the Olympic 400IM in 2016 and also claimed silver over the shorter medley.
But having reached the pinnacle, the Japanese – like others before him – found the next stage of his journey a difficult one to negotiate.
Kosuke Hagino: Photo Courtesy: Mine Kasapoglu / ISL
The physical and mental burnout resulted in Hagino taking time out of the water and he missed much of the 2019 season including the World Championships in Gwangju.
While Hagino experienced a lack of motivation his fellow Japanese Daiya Seto saw his star rise, winning the medley double at worlds and sweeping all before him as Tokyo 2020 loomed ever closer.
However, the postponement of the Olympics in March hit Seto hard and he ends the year suspended by the Japanese Swimming Federation following an extra-marital affair.
For Hagino, though, the extra year has given him welcome time to concentrate on his technique and preparation which would not have been so extensive had the Olympics gone ahead in 2020.
Scott will face the Japanese at the Duna Arena in the two-day match starting on Friday with LA Current and DC Trident also presenting opposition.
The three-time world relay champion welcomes the continued return of Hagino and not only for his performances in the water.
Scott told Swimming World:
“It’s good to see Hagino back racing – that is pretty special. It’s going to be really good fun.
“For who he is as well in the sport. I don’t know anyone that doesn’t like him – he’s a really nice guy.
“The way he goes about his business, the way he trains, his personality – it’s great to see him back racing, winning events as well – 2IM, 400IM – so it is going to be good fun getting to race him, I don’t know the last time I did.
“Everyone is really happy to see him back.”
Duncan Scott. Photo Courtesy: Mine Kasapoglu / ISL
London Roar enjoyed an emphatic win in their first match in Budapest but Duncan Scott has no doubt they face a tough test, saying:
“It will be pretty challenging. The Frog Kings looked pretty good last time and so did LA, DC have got Zach Apple – the boy who won the 100 free – and a couple of others as well.
“I think it will be a really tough match-up to be honest and I hope that London are expecting that as well. It is going to be a lot more challenging than what we had in our first match I think.
“LA have put up some really strong performances: Ryan Murphy has been swimming really well. The Frog Kings as well.”
Roar’s opening match was Scott’s first competition since the Edinburgh International Meet in March.
Scott – coached by Steven Tigg at the University of Stirling – won for the first time in the ISL when he took the 200 free in the opening match.
Duncan Scott: Photo Courtesy: Mine Kasapoglu / ISL
It was a welcome return to competition and also served to show improvements that need to be made.
“A lot of excitement,” said Scott.
“I was really happy to get out there and I was buzzing to compete again, race anyone and race internationally at a world level.
“After it had happened there were a couple of other emotions: I was quite rusty, there are quite a few things I probably hadn’t thought about before that I now need to think about because of how little I’ve raced.
“But that’s no problem – we’ve got plenty of chances to race in the next couple of weeks and that’s fine. I’m more than certain of what I’ve done wrong and what I can do better.
“I am just happy to get out and race but then be able to race with London Roar again: the last time was December last year.
“Missing Jimmy and Deano (James Guy and Tom Dean) that meet was quite tough.”
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