Japan’s long-time backstroke king Ryosuke Irie, who received three Olympic medals in 2012, introduced his retirement Wednesday on the age of 34.
At final month’s choice trials, the swimmer from Osaka Prefecture fell quick in his bid to qualify for his fifth consecutive Olympics, the place he’d hoped to wrap up his profession.
“I’m truly happy to have had a long competitive career,” Irie instructed a press convention in Tokyo, his voice breaking with emotion. “I wanted to retire in Paris.”
Japanese backstroke swimmer Ryosuke Irie pronounces his retirement at a press convention in Tokyo on April 3, 2024. (Kyodo)
Two-time double Olympic breaststroke champion Kosuke Kitajima made a shock look on the press convention to congratulate Irie on his profession.
Kitajima and Irie have been a part of Japan’s silver medal quartet within the males’s 4×100-meter medley relay on the 2012 London Olympics.
Kitajima known as Irie “a central figure of Japan’s national swimming team and a great teammate.”
As for his future, Irie mentioned he’s contemplating going to graduate college.
At the Olympics in London, Irie additionally received silver within the males’s 200-meter backstroke whereas claiming bronze within the 100 backstroke.
Irie additionally collected two silver and two bronze medals in eight world championships, together with his last look coming eventually summer time’s meet in Fukuoka.
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