Alum Takayuki Suzuki Secures Japan’s First Gold at the Paris Paralympics
Mon, Sep 2, 2024-
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Takayuki Suzuki after winning the gold medal in Men’s 50m breaststroke (SB3 Class) (Photo by Kyodo News)
Waseda University Swim Team alum Takayuki Suzuki (School of Education, 2009 graduate) competed in the Men’s 50m Breaststroke (SB3 class) Para Swimming event and secured Japan’s first gold medal at the 2024 Paris Paralympics.
Suzuki swimming powerfully while beating his personal record (Photo by Kyodo News)
Suzuki has competed in six consecutive Paralympic Games since the 2004 Athens Games. After winning the bronze in the men’s 50m breaststroke (SB3 class) at the Tokyo Games, Suzuki improved his personal best at the Paris Games with a time of 48.04 seconds, beating his record set at the Beijing Games when he was 21 years old by 0.45 seconds. In a quote for NHK Suzuki commented, “For a long time I was unable to improve on my personal best and there were times when I felt like giving up, but last month I broke 48 seconds and felt I could beat my personal best. It took me a while, but I’m happy I was able to surpass my 21-year-old self.”
Suzuki holding up his 3rd gold medal (Photo by Kyodo News)
Suzuki will compete in a total of four events at the Paris Olympics. “I think the Japanese team, as well as myself individually, got off to a very good start. I want to continue to do my best,” said Suzuki, showing his determination to add to his medal haul in a comment for NHK.
A Comment from Waseda President Aiji Tanaka
Alumni Takayuki Suzuki won the gold medal in the Men’s 50m Breaststroke (SB3 class) Para Swimming event at the Paris Paralympics.
You won medals in five events at the Tokyo Paralympics, and I am pleased that you continue to achieve great things.
I offer you my sincere congratulations on securing your 11th Paralympics medal. Waseda is proud of you.
You have my deepest respect for the mental fortitude and continuous efforts it must have taken to achieve a new personal best after 16 years. I will continue to cheer for you in your upcoming events.
Waseda University President Aiji Tanaka
Suzuki’s Upcoming Events
【9/3】Men’s 200m Freestyle (S4 Class)
【9/6】Men’s 50m Freestyle (S4 Class)
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