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World Junior Record Holder, Olympic Finalist Mizuki Hirai Commits to Tennessee

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World Junior Record holder Mizuki Hirai has announced her commitment to Tennessee, she announced via Instagram. She will arrive in fall 2025.

“I am super excited to announce my verbal commitment to swim and study at the University of Tennessee!! I am incredibly thankful for the support of my family, coaches, and friends.
Go Vols! “

Hirai just finished representing Japan at the 2024 Paris Olympics. Hirai swam a 56.71 in the women’s 100 fly in prelims, the 2nd fastest time of the morning to earn a spot in semifinals. She then swam a 56.80 in semifinals for 7th and went on to finish 7th in finals touching in a 57.19.

In addition to her individual 100 fly, she also swam in the women’s 4×100 medley relay and the mixed 4×100 medley relay for Japan. The women’s relay finished 5th in finals and Hirai had her fastest split then with a 56.27.

Earlier this summer, Hirai set a World Junior Record in the girls 100 fly, swimming a 56.33 at the end of June. That broke the official record of a 56.43 that Claire Curzan of the US swam in 2021. Curzan was faster with a 56.20 in April 2021 although that time was never ratified.

Hirai’s best time LCM time converted to SCY:

  • 100 fly: 56.33 (49.48)

The Tennessee women finished 2nd at the 2024 SEC Championships and went on to a 4th place finish at NCAAs. The team was led by rising senior Josephine Fuller.

Hirai has the potential to make a huge impact based on her best converted time in the 100 fly. No swimmer was under the 50-second mark in the 100 fly at SECs. Hirai’s best converted time also would have been #2 at 2024 NCAAs, only behind Gretchen Walsh who swam an NCAA record of a 47.42.

Hirai will arrive next fall as a member of the class of 2029 along with Lilly Robertson, Nicole Zettel, Avery Luedke, Mere Whelehan, Amelia Mason, and Alyssa Claborn. Hirai is notably the first international recruit of the class.

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carlo
3 months ago

Is Pan Zhanle coming over? Hehe.

Greeny
3 months ago

If Aussies entering the college system who would be most prized recruits?

Noah
Reply to  Greeny
3 months ago

Wunsch and Anderson

I miss the ISL (Go dawgs)
Reply to  Greeny
3 months ago

If O’Callaghan swam NCAA she would do very well because of her UWs. One of not many aussies with UWs that can rival those of someone like Gretchen

Swimmerfromjapananduk
3 months ago

Big move. Our federation has been shocking for many years now. Just look at how many promising high schoolers we had and disappeared

Sweet Sweet Peter Rosen
3 months ago

Good week for MK

RealCrocker5040
3 months ago

Good

Leave the sinking ship that is the JASF!!!

Aquajosh
3 months ago

You’re going to see more Japanese athletes end up in the NCAA as long as JASF stays a dumpster fire.

ZYG
Reply to  Aquajosh
3 months ago

Hope so! I mean I hope the situation with JASF improves, but in the meantime it’d be great if young swimmers in Japan pursued opportunities in the NCAA.

kazoo
3 months ago

Great get for the Vols. Kredich has already earned that whopping $10K raise he received–ha, ha–from
the penny-pinching (when it comes to Olympic sports, apparently, athletic director.

Swammer
3 months ago

Let’s go vols! Millie Leonard is also joining the lady vols in 2024, from Dublin Ohio OHSAA 2x state champ 200/500 free

Swammer
Reply to  Swammer
3 months ago

2025 I mean

About Braden Keith

Braden Keith

Braden Keith is the Editor-in-Chief and a co-founder/co-owner of SwimSwam.com. He first got his feet wet by building The Swimmers' Circle beginning in January 2010, and now comes to SwimSwam to use that experience and help build a new leader in the sport of swimming. Aside from his life on the InterWet, …

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