Olympic Star Ryosuke Irie Announces Retirement
11:44 JST, April 4, 2024
TOKYO (Jiji Press) — Swimmer Ryosuke Irie, who won three medals at the 2012 London Olympics, announced his retirement Wednesday at a press conference in Tokyo.
The 34-year-old, who appeared in four consecutive Olympics in the men’s backstroke, had been active on the international stage since 2006.
“I’m truly happy to have been able to enjoy a long career as a competitive swimmer,” a tearful Irie said.
The native of Osaka Prefecture, Irie was known for his amazing balance and flexible shoulders, which allowed him to swim the backstroke with a plastic bottle placed on his forehead.
At the London Games, Irie won silver medals in the 200-meter backstroke and in 400 medley relay, and a bronze in the 100 backstroke.
He holds the Japanese records for both the 100 and 200 backstroke.
Irie has been plagued by injuries in recent years, and was unable to clinch a spot for the 2024 Paris Olympics at a selection event last month.
He failed to meet the qualifying standard while finishing second in the 100 backstroke, and missed out in the 200 race as well.
“While I would’ve liked to retire at the Paris [Olympics], I’m glad that I was able to continue swimming for this long,” Irie said.
"Sports" POPULAR ARTICLE
-
Shohei Ohtani Defied Ex-Interpreter’s Request to Cover Up Fraud, Report
-
Shohei Ohtani Hits 176 MLB Homers; the Most by a Japanese-Born Player Surpassing Hideki Matsui
-
Yoshinobu Yamamoto’s 6 Shutout Innings Help Dodgers Finish Sweep, Defeat Nats 2-1
-
Japanese Public Divided Over Hosting Future Olympic Games As Corruption, Bid-Rigging Scandals Blunt Enthusiasm
-
Here’s How Investigators Allege Ippei Mizuhara Stole $16 million From Shohei Ohtani
JN ACCESS RANKING
- M6.0 Earthquake Hits Japan’s Tohoku Region; Fukushima, Iwate, Miyagi Prefectures Observe 4 on Japanese Scale With No Risk of Tsunami
- China Mutes Memorialization of Reformer Hu Yaobang; Memories Could Spark Critique of Xi Administration
- Shinkansen Services Suspended After Man ‘Searches for Phone’ on Tracks; Disruption Affects About 14,000 Passengers
- U.S. 7th Fleet officer Arrested on Suspicion of Stealing Sushi, Sashimi, Chicken at Kanagawa Shopping Mall; Suspect Caught Mid-Meal
- UNRWA Director Describes Catastrophic Destruction in Gaza; Says Relief Trucks Robbed, ‘People’s Hearts Destroyed’