After a Downward Spiral, Japanese Prodigy Seto Daiya Ready to Conquer Swimming and Frenchman Leon Marchand

The World Aquatics Championships 2023 in Fukuoka, Japan commenced on 14th July. As swimmers from around the world take part in the competition, one particular athlete will be swimming to redeem himself. Seto Daiya, a three-time world champion in the men’s 400m individual medley (IM), is on a quest for redemption. Once an indisputable force in the pool, Daiya has previously dominated the 400m IM at multiple World Aquatics Championships, securing titles in 2013, 2015, and 2019.

He reached the 2020 Tokyo Olympics at the peak of his form and was the swimmer to beat in his competition. However, that all changed as the Games were postponed. What followed next started a chain reaction that eventually led to the downward spiral of the former champion.

Daiya’s downfall and his quest for redemption

Up till the lead-up to the Tokyo Olympics, the Japanese swimmer was a sure-shot pole position finisher. But a non-swimming infraction in September 2020 led to a suspension that cost him sponsors, credibility, and his impeccable form. When the Games finally happened his performance in Tokyo was a far cry from his former glory, failing to make the podium in events he was once expected to dominate.

However, the resilient 29-year-old is slowly staging a remarkable comeback, thanks to the guidance of his tenacious coach, Kato Tsuyoshi. After a difficult few years, Daiya has emerged as a new and tougher version of himself. He is now eager to prove his mettle once again at the World Aquatics Championships. The Olympic champion recently took to his Instagram and shared a post with the caption, “I’m off to Fukuoka!!”?followed by an airplane emoji.

In the 400m IM, Daiya will face fierce competitors, including American swimmers Chase Kalisz and Carson Foster, compatriot Tomoru Honda, and the highly anticipated Leon Marchand. The latter has been making waves in the swimming world coming within 0.44 seconds of breaking Michael Phelps’ world record in the 200m butterfly last year in Budapest.

The matchup between Seto and Marchand promises to be an epic battle of determination and skill. According to an Olympic report, while explaining his strategy for marking the Frenchman, Daiya said, ?If I?m ahead by half a length after the back, I?ll breeze through the breast and let him go.”?With the meet already ongoing, there have been a few upsets so far but nonetheless, the premier swimming competition continues to keep swimming fans captivated.

2023 World Aquatics Championship winners so far

The ongoing competition is the 20th edition of the World Aquatics Championship. China continues to lead the medals table with a staggering 15 golds so far and 24 medals overall. Japan, the host nation, is currently in the runners up position with a total of 8 medals. Chasing Japan is Germany and Spain who both have 7 medals overall. With competitions ranging from swimming to diving, water polo, marathon swimming, and artistic swimming, the tournament comes at a perfect time for swimmers who have their sights set on next year’s Paris Olympics.

Read more: Eyeing for Retired Legend Michael Phelps?s Last Standing World Record, These Three Swimmers Stand 0.5 Seconds Apart From Glory

For Seto, this championship marks a litmus test for his renewed form, and he approaches it with unwavering confidence and determination. He is far more pumped up than last year, a clear sign of his well-honed training. The 2023 World Aquatics Championships in Fukuoka, Japan is currently underway and the 400m IM final will be held on July 23.

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