In March 2024, at Japan's Olympic trials for swimming held in Tokyo, the spotlight was on the 17-year-old Mizuki Hirai.
Originally from Aichi Prefecture, Hirai is a third-year high school student. She clinched the victory in the women's 100-meter butterfly, outpacing her competitor, Rikako Ikee. Her winning time exceeded the Olympic qualifying standard by 0.43 seconds, securing her a spot in the Paris Olympics.
The women's 100 butterfly qualifying heats and semifinals are on Saturday, July 27 at the Paris Olympic Aquatics Centre.
Hirai's Butterfly Technique
Mizuki Hirai's prowess in the butterfly stroke is underscored by her signature dolphin kick. This technique, which involves her entire body moving in unison underwater like a dolphin, enables her to glide smoothly and efficiently.
In a recent TVK News Link Online interview, she emphasized the importance of minimizing resistance in the water, focusing on buoyancy and relaxation. By utilizing weight shifts during her strokes, she propels herself forward with minimal exertion.
Despite the apparent simplicity, mastering this technique requires rigorous training. Hirai trains under coach Shigeki Kayahara at the Arena Tsukimino Sports Club in Yamato, Kanagawa Prefecture.
Kayahara, who also coached Tomoru Honda, a silver medalist in the men's 200 butterfly at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, sheds light on the intricacies of the butterfly stroke. He stresses the significance of "finding and maintaining the body's central axis to float effortlessly and reduce unnecessary effort."
According to Kayahara, "maintaining a good posture throughout the race is crucial, especially for butterfly."
From Local Talent to National Star
Hirai's journey to becoming a national team member has been remarkable. Originally from Aichi Prefecture, she moved to Kanagawa to train under Coach Kayahara. In less than three years, her dedication and hard work have propelled her to the national team.
Her teachers and classmates at Nihon University Fujisawa Senior High School speak highly of her determination and positive attitude, both in sports and academics. Her friends describe her as an "inspiring, kind, and cheerful" individual who embodies the spirit of a modern high school girl.
As the Paris Olympics approach, Hirai remains focused on her swimming technique, particularly her dive, where she tends to create resistance. She aims to improve her weight shifts to maximize propulsion.
"My main focus right now is on improving my diving technique. I tend to create resistance right after entering the water, which causes a significant slowdown. I'm working on using my weight shifts more effectively to maintain my propulsion," she explained in a recent interview.
Her ultimate goal is to win a medal at the Olympics. While aware of the unpredictability of the competition, Kayahara believes Hirai is determined to give her best and compete against the world's best swimmers.
"Of course, it would be great for her to win a medal," the coach said in an interview with TVK News Link Online. "The color of the medal doesn't matter as much as giving her best performance. She's right on the edge of the qualification line for the finals, but anything can happen in the world of sports.
"I want her to swim her best and see where that takes her."
Early Passion and Family Support
Mizuki Hirai's love for swimming began at the age of 4 when she started taking lessons at a local swimming club near her home. Her breakthrough came in 2017 when she won her first national championship as a fifth-grader.
As she continued to excel in her sport, she and her family decided to move to a new training facility to further her ambitions. The support from her family has been instrumental in her success, especially the nutritional meals prepared by her mother.
Hirai's hard work paid off at the 2022 World Junior Swimming Championships in Peru, where she won gold in the 100 butterfly and the 400-meter medley relay. This achievement is a testament to her dedication and the solid support system provided by her family and coaches.
"My family has been my biggest support," she notes. "[And] my father's understanding and my mother's nutritionally balanced meals have played a huge role in my success."
Pride in Her Family and Her Hometown
Back in her hometown of Kariya City, Aichi Prefecture, Hirai is celebrated and supported by the local community. She fondly recalls playing with her sisters in the local park and the delicious seafood tempura bowls from a restaurant owned by her classmates' parents. These memories and the encouragement from her community motivate her to continue striving for excellence on the global stage.
"I cherish the time I spent playing with my sisters and the support from my hometown. It drives me to do my best and make them proud," she shares. "Swimming is my passion. I love the challenges it presents and the joy of overcoming them. I want to keep improving and, one day, set a world record," she says enthusiastically.
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Author: Daniel Manning, Staff Reporter, JAPAN Forward
