Japan’s Watanabe sets world record in 200-meter breaststroke
TOKYO — Japan teenager Ippei Watanabe set a world record in the men’s 200-meter breaststroke with a time of 2 minutes, 06.67 seconds.
The 19-year-old university student improved on the previous mark of 2:07.01 set by compatriot Akihiro Yamaguchi in 2012. Watanabe set the record time in the final of the 200 breaststroke at the Tokyo metropolitan championships on Sunday.
“I’m very surprised, I didn’t think I could break a world record,” Watanabe said. “I want to become a swimmer who can keep breaking records.”
Watanabe competed in the men’s 100-meter breaststroke at the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympics but didn’t qualify for the final. He also broke the Olympic record for the men’s 200-meter breaststroke during the semifinal in Rio before finishing sixth in the final.