At the World Aquatics Championships held in Kazan, Russia, Kanako Watanabe (Waseda University Swim Club, School of Sport Sciences, 1st Year) reached the final of the women’s 200m breaststroke, where she used her trademark strong finish to overtake the leader and capture the gold medal in a time of 2 minutes 21.15 seconds.
This was Watanabe’s second medal at the Championships following a silver medal finish in the 200m individual medley race. This was the 100th medal ever for Japan at the World Championships.
Her gold medal at this event earned Watanabe a place in the Japan Team for the 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, which will be her second successive Olympic appearance following London.
Race result
Women’s Breaststroke Final: 2 minutes 21.15 seconds, 1st Place, Gold Medal
Watanabe giving the “W” Waseda sign after winning the gold she had always wanted and booking her ticket to Rio
Watanabe smiling from the podium
Photo of Japan Swim, April
（Photos: Waseda Sports Press）
