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Waseda University Swim Team alumni Takayuki Suzuki (School of Education, 2009) competed in the Paris 2024 Paralympics Para-Swimming Men’s 50m Freestyle event (S4 Class) and won the silver medal. This marked his final event at the Paris Paralympics and his fourth medal after medaling in the 50m breaststroke (SB3 Class), 100m Freestyle (S4 Class), and the 200m Freestyle (S4 Class), bringing his total Paralympics medal count to 14 from 6 consecutive Games since Athens 2004.      

Suzuki waving at the crowd after being awarded the silver in the Men’s 50m Freestyle event (Photo by Kyodo News)

Suzuki set a new record in Asia with a time of 36.85 seconds, beating his personal best by .62 seconds. The ace of the Japan Para Swimming Team, Suzuki, was in good form this year and continued his momentum in his final event of the Paralympics, beating another one of his personal records. In an interview with NHK, Suzuki commented, “Before the race I set a goal with my coach to break 36 seconds, so I am really glad I could do it. Personally, this Paralympics was really satisfying for me. I was able to maintain good form from the beginning to the end, and that showed in my times, so I am happy with the results.”   

Suzuki at the start of the Men’s 50m final (Photo by Kyodo News)

Suzuki, who took the stage at four awards ceremonies at the Paris Paralympics, shared, “It always feels great no matter how many times I do it. After Tokyo, I am so happy that I have been able to continue to win medals in all of my individual events. I knew Kimura [Keiichi, 100m Butterfly gold medalist] would get gold today, but I also wanted to get a medal and hear the national anthem played, so I did everything I could and set a new record in Asia. Asking for more would have been too much, so I am very happy with the silver medal.”   

Suzuki, who has been competing for many years and is not yet thinking about retirement, said, “Personally, I have a strong desire to win. It’s not easy to make a lot of people happy, so I’m very glad to be able to do that through competition.”

Suzuki swimming powerfully in the Men’s 50m Freestyle final (Photos by Kyodo News)

※All quotes from interviews for NHK

A Comment from Waseda University President Aiji Tanaka

Waseda University alumni Takayuki Suzuki won the silver medal in Para Swimming Men’s 50m Freestyle (S4 Class) at the Paris Paralympics. 

This marks his 14th Paralympic medal overall, and I once again wish to express my admiration for the mental strength that has enabled him to continue working tirelessly across the 20 years since competing in the Athens Games at the age of 17.

I would like to express my sincere respect for your ability to overcome the disappointment of leaving the 2016 Rio Olympics without a medal. You successfully secured multiple medals in the two Paralympics following this setback and topped your performance in Tokyo by achieving the remarkable feat of breaking two of your personal bests in Paris.

It reminded me of when, after winning medals in all five of your events at the Paralympics held in Tokyo in 2021 you then visited me at my office.

I will continue to cheer for you and look forward to seeing you achieve even greater success, not just as an athlete, but as someone who will carry the future of parasports.

Waseda University President Aiji Tanaka

Takayuki Suzuki: Medal List

Athens 2004

Beijing 2008

London 2012

Tokyo 2020

(Photos by Kyodo News)