Ohashi embraces LA 2028 challenge after Marchand calls him 'scary'
NAGOYA: Japanese teenager Shin Ohashi said he was surprised and honoured that Olympic champion Leon Marchand knew who he was, after the Frenchman described the 17-year-old as a “scary” prospect ahead of the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
Nagoya, Japan - Japanese swimming sensation Shin Ohashi expressed his surprise and honor upon learning that Olympic champion Leon Marchand recognized him as a formidable opponent ahead of the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. Ohashi shattered the men's 200 meters breaststroke world record at the Asian Games in Tokyo, clocking 2:04.83, breaking the previous mark of 2:05.48 set by Qin Haiyang at the 2023 World Championships in Fukuoka.
Marchand, who visited the Asian Games pool, praised Ohashi's rapid rise in the sport, calling him a "scary" prospect. Despite the Frenchman's admiration for Ohashi's talent, he acknowledged that the 17-year-old would be a challenging competitor in the upcoming Los Angeles Games. Ohashi, who has won five medals, including two golds, at the World Junior Championships and five medals at the Aichi-Nagoya Games, including two titles, expressed respect for Marchand and Britain's Filip Nowacki as the main benchmarks for success in the event.
Both Marchand and Nowacki, who defeated Ohashi at last year's World Aquatics Junior Swimming Championships, were described as incredibly strong competitors when it comes to winning races. Ohashi, who recovered from COVID-19 just a week before his world record performance, views the upcoming Los Angeles Olympics as an opportunity to challenge the best in the world.
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