Japanese Teammates Yumeki Kojima and Asaki Nishikawa Race Uncommon 400 IM Swim Off For A-Final Spot

2026 PAN PACIFIC CHAMPIONSHIPS

MEN’S 400 IM – PRELIMS

‘A’ Final Qualifiers: 

1. Tomoyuki Matsushita (JPN), 4:07.61
2. Yumeki Kojima (JPN) / Asaki Nishikawa (JPN), 4:08.69*
3. –
4. Carson Foster (USA), 4:11.55
5. William Petric (AUS), 4:11.86
6. Bobby Finke (USA), 4:12.17
7. Lewis Clareburt (NZL), 4:13.33
8. Rex Maurer (CAN), 4:13.76
9. Lorne Wigginton (CAN), 4:14.23
10. Tristan Jankovics (CAN), 4:15.87

*Swim-off could also be required; just one could make the ‘A’ ultimate

Swim-off Results:

1. Asaki Nishikawa (JPN), 4:13.84
2. Yumeki Kojima (JPN), 4:27.84

In a uncommon, and in a approach, unlucky sequence of occasions for the Japanese squad on the Pan Pacific Championships within the males’s 400 IM, which was dominated by a trio of Japanese swimmers- Tomoyuki Matsushita (4:07.61) and each Yumeki Kojima and Asaki Nishikawa (4:08.69)- not all three would be capable of make the ultimate.

While the performances took the highest three spots within the prelims, the Pan Pacs restrict of two swimmers per nation meant that the tie for 2nd meant not all three would be capable of compete within the championship ultimate. This would later end in a uncommon prevalence: a swim-off within the 400 IM. What was initially speculated to be two 400 IMs in a day then changed into three for each Kojima and Nishikawa.

The swimoff, nevertheless, was not essentially all that shut, as Nishikawa obtained out to an early lead on the butterfly, turning greater than a full second in entrance on the 100, and by no means backed down. Nishikawa then ran away from his fellow countryman, as Kojima would shut in with a tiring 1:11.14 on the ultimate 10o meters, settling for the highest of the ‘B’ ultimate, ending the swim-off in 4:27.43, about 13 and a half seconds slower than Nishikawa in 4:13.84, which might have completed ninth by itself within the prelims.

Splits Comparison:

Nishikawa can be facet by facet with Matsushita within the ultimate, although the damage and tear of the 2nd 400 IM within the prelims might play into this night’s ultimate.  Kojima, who lowered his personal World Junior Record within the prelims in 4:08.84, ought to be in a good place to win the ‘B’ ultimate.