Kosuke Hagino Posts Early World Bests in Backstroke in Tokyo
TOKYO, Japan, January 28. AT the Tokyo Tatsumi International Pool as part of the Tokyo Championships this weekend, Japan’s Kosuke Hagino put together a blistering pair of in-season backstroke swims in long course meter competition.
Hagino rocketed to a 53.35 in the 100-meter back, which beats the early world-best time of 53.72 thrown down by Matt Grevers at the Arena Grand Prix stop in Austin. Hagino went out in 26.10 in the 100.
Hagino also blazed his way to a 1:54.77 in the 200-meter backstroke, winning his race by nearly six seconds in the process. Hagino split the 200 27.02, 56.03, 1:25.51, 1:54.77. That’s well ahead of the previous best in the world so far this month of a 1:57.29 from Ryan Murphy at the Austin Grand Prix as well.
Hagino is headed to Perth, Australia this weekend to compete with some of the best international talent as part of the Aquatic Super Series hosted by Swimming Australia.
Special thanks to Takahise Ide for contributing to this report.