Doha, Qatar, February 14, 2024: Japan’s new swimming champion Tomoru Honda believes his first world championship title in Doha on Wednesday can give him more power for the Paris Olympics.
Honda, 22, won the men’s 200m butterfly at the Aspire Dome to collect his first world title, and become Japan’s first world champion in this event.
The Tokyo 2020 Olympic silver medallist touched the wall in 1 minute, 53.88 seconds, ahead of Italy’s Alberto Razzetti (1:54.65) and Austria’s Martin Espernberger (1:55.16).
The winning time was well outside Honda's personal best of 1:52.70, set at the Japan Open in December 2022, but the Yokohama-born swimmer was pleased with the result in light of a recent ankle sprain that still causes pain when he kicks.
"All I can say is that I am happy," said Honda, who took bronze at the two previous world championships.
"I've had ups and downs, but I feel as though I could push through them to achieve my goal of winning gold. I'm hopeful of setting an even better time without any injuries."
Speaking of his first gold medal at the world championships, Honda added: “It was my dream so I’m so happy.
“This year we have the Olympics in Paris and my biggest dream is to get the gold medal in the Olympics, so this gold medal gives me power. I will do my best in Paris.”
