Japan Open Could Shake Up World Rankings; Anthony Ervin Will Spice It Up

Anthony Ervin
Photo Courtesy: Griffin Scott

The collaboration between the Australian and Japanese swimming federations continues at the Japan Open, where several of the elite athletes from both countries will race one week after competing in Australia. Anthony Ervin will spice up the proceedings, as he’s scheduled to race the 50 and 100 freestyles in Tokyo.

2015 JAPAN OPEN PSYCH SHEET (IN JAPANESE)

Unfortunately, Ervin won’t face off against Australia’s sprint duo of James Magnussen and Cameron McEvoy in what could have been an exciting pre-world championships matchup. Magnussen is dealing with shoulder issues, while McEvoy likely felt that last weekend’s racing in Canberra was enough.

Twenty Australians are in Tokyo, including nine that will race in Russia at the world championships. Ashley Delaney will continue to learn from the Japanese backstroke duo of Ryosuke Irie and Kosuke Hagino, while Emma McKeon will race Japanese star butterflyer Natsumi Hoshi.

The Japan Open has been one of the top meets in the country for many years. In 2008, Kosuke Kitajima broke the 200 breast world record before winning double gold at the Beijing Olympics. In some years, it was a qualifying meet for international competition, garnering several world-class performances. Expect that tradition to continue, even though Japan has already selected its international squad. With the addition of many non-Japanese swimmers to this year’s meet, the world rankings could be shaken up by the end of the meet.

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