Japanese Youngsters Miyu Otsuka, Kanako Watanabe Looking Forward to Olympics

LONDON, England, July 22. JAPANESE youngsters Miyu Otsuka and Kanako Watanabe took time out to reflect on the meet to come after training at the London Aquatics Centre this weekend.

Otsuka, who qualified for the women's 200 back and 400 IM this year, is making a big step up in international competition as the 18-year-old's previously competed in the World Junior Championships in 2011. She won the 400 IM with a 4:40.98, while also taking second in the 200 back (2:11.02) and third in the 200 fly (2:11.35).

“I'm aiming for a Japanese record,” Otsuka said about her goal for the meet. “I will push physically as hard as possible for the first 300m and get as far ahead as I can (in the 400 IM). Then I will have to dig deep mentally for the last 100m.”

Watanabe, the youngest competitor for the Japanese this year at just 15 years old, will be swimming in the women's 200 breast. She also had a strong outing in Peru at the World Junior Championships with a win in the 200 breast (2:25.52) and second in the 100 breast (1:08.89). Watanabe used to be a consummate IMer, but became a breaststroke specialist after injuring her right shoulder in high school.

“I feel that the spirit of the Olympic Games is here in the pool,” Watanabe said of her first time in the pool. “I am a little nervous because the Games are approaching. I should not be nervous – it is only because there is so much focus on me from the Japanese media (as the youngest competitor).”

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