World Newcomer of the Year: Tomoyuki Matsushita Upholding Japanese Tradition in 400 IM
Held less than a year ahead of the Olympic Games, the 2023 World Junior Championships featured several medalists who made an impact in Paris. While Flynn Southam helped Australia to a pair of relay medals at the Olympics, Lana Pudar (butterfly) and Kuzey Tuncelli (distance freestyle) had strong individual showings.
Tomoyuki Matsushita, though, was the best of the bunch.
The gold medalist at World Juniors in the 400-meter individual medley, Matsushita earned a place on the podium in his specialty event at the Olympic Games. The Japanese youngster was the silver medalist in Paris and for his efforts, Matsushita has been selected as Swimming World Magazine’s choice for World Newcomer of the Year.
Heading into the Olympics, Frenchman Leon Marchand rightfully dominated conversation concerning the 400 individual medley. Unsurprisingly, Marchand powered to gold in the event, with his time of 4:02.95 establishing an Olympic record. But behind Marchand, Matsushita acquitted himself in impressive fashion, as he fended off more experienced foes to capture the silver medal.
An 18-year-old during the final of the 400 IM, Matsushita trusted a patient approach to reach the medals stand. He sat in seventh place after the opening butterfly leg and was in sixth place at the midway point. Able to move up to fifth on the breaststroke leg, Matsushita still had plenty of work to do during the closing freestyle. He remained undaunted by the challenge that remained, and placed faith in his finishing ability.
On his two length of freestyle, Matsushita registered 50-meter splits of 29.39 and 27.67 for a final 100 meters of 57.06, the fastest in the field. That closing flurry lifted the Japanese standout into the No. 2 position and a time of 4:08.62, which was .04 quicker than the bronze-medal swim of American Carson Foster.
While Matsushita’s best event is undoubtedly the 400 IM, he has clocked a personal best of 1:57.60 for the 200 IM, an event where he soon could become a factor on the international stage.
By medaling in the 400 IM at the Olympic Games, Matsushita upheld a strong recent tradition for Japanese athletes in the event. He joined Kosuke Hagino and Daiya Seto as Olympic medalists. The experience also bolstered Matsushita’s confidence moving forward, specifically as it pertains to closing the gap with Marchand.
“I love the Olympics,” Matsushita said in a Paris interview. “This silver medal opens up many opportunities, and I’m determined to chase Leon Marchand in the next four years.”