The Japan Times - Shin Ohashi: Junk food-loving teen and new world record-holder

The 17-year-old, who stands just 169cm (5ft 6ins), shattered the men's 200m breaststroke world record by more than half a second at the Asian Games on Thursday.

It was his second gold of the Games, after finishing the 100m final in a dead heat with China's Dong Zhihao.

Not bad going for a teenager who admits he likes nothing better than a packet of crisps and a can of fizzy juice.

"I sometimes eat too much of that stuff before lunch and end up not properly eating lunch," Ohashi was quoted as saying by the Olympic Channel.

"I know I shouldn't, but I can't stop. I know it's not good for you, but hey, once it's in your stomach it's all the same."

Ohashi's record-smashing swim in Tokyo will pique the interest of French superstar Leon Marchand, who won the 200m breaststroke at the Paris 2024 Games.

This week Marchand said he was "very scared" of Ohashi.

"He's still so young, his coach is really good, his entourage, the people around him are really good," said Marchand.

"I hope he's going to keep improving, I think his breaststroke is amazing.

"I'm very excited and also stressed about racing him."

- New 'Frog King'? -

Japan have enjoyed huge success in swimming but their pool of talent has shown signs of drying up in recent years.

After winning 11 swimming medals at the 2012 Olympics and seven in 2016, they won three at the home Tokyo Olympics in 2021 and just one at the Paris Games.

Ohashi has emerged at the right time and has been tipped to follow in the footsteps of Japanese breaststroke great Kosuke Kitajima.

The "Frog King" won the 100m-200m double at the 2004 Athens Olympics and repeated the feat four years later in Beijing.

Speaking at the Asian Games this week, Kitajima said Ohashi could become "a swimmer who strikes fear" into his rivals.

"He has a lot of potential and I think he can do really well on the international stage," said Kitajima.

"I think he definitely has the potential."

Kitajima pointed out that Ohashi is much smaller than many of his "gigantic" breaststroke rivals.

China's Qin Haiyang, a multiple world champion and the man who had held the 200m world record, stands 192cm.

"He's compact and has speed, endurance and a real appeal," said Kitajima of his compatriot.

Ohashi's family made him start swimming as a three-year-old because they wanted to make sure he wouldn't drown in his grandmother's pond.

He has come a long way in a short space of time and could find himself being the face of Japan's swimming team for the Los Angeles Olympics in 2028.

Kitajima believes he has the temperament to handle it.

"If he wants my advice I'll give it to him," he said.

"He has a great team around him and I hope they will keep supporting him."

K.Yamaguchi--JT