Interview with Daiya Seto, Japan National Swimming Team: “At that time, I lost everything, and swimming was the only thing that stuck with me.”

Welcoming the Olympics as a Father

He talked about the reason why he has been able to endure the grueling training after the scandal, even though he was mentally challenged.

“Of course, my family has been a great support. After winning a medal at the World Championships in swimming, my wife told me that ‘It’s good that you won, but you shouldn’t get carried away’, and now every time I hear it, it makes me tense up.”

Mabuchi is no longer expected to compete in the Paris Olympics, and there is a possibility that she may retire. If that happens, she plans to live with her family.

 

“For example, I would like to bring my wife and children to the training camp and spend time with them.”

As he said this, Seto told us about a change that had come to his family.

“My daughters, who are 5 and 3 years old, started taking swimming lessons after the World Swimming Championships. My older daughter said, ‘I’m going to swim in the World Swimming Championships and the Olympics’. My younger daughter was afraid of the water at first, but after watching her older sister, she wanted to do it, so she started recently.”

The children were inspired by watching their father swim.

“I think they were influenced by my swimming. I want to let them do what they want to do, so basically I don’t interfere too much. In fact, my wife is more likely to say a lot of things.”

“Aside from coaching, I never want to lose to my children. Even if the day comes when I am no longer a top athlete, I will continue to compete in Masters and other events, and no matter how old I get, I will never lose.”

 

At the age of 30, he will be entering the Paris Olympics. His mentality has changed dramatically over the past three years. Before the scandal, he was so sharp that it was difficult for those around him to talk to him, but now he is more open to those around him, as he says, “I often go out to eat with my juniors these days.”

He has also kept his own counsel in the face of infighting in the swimming federation. After the World Swimming Championships, some athletes criticized the federation’s strengthening system on SNS. Coach Hakumasa Hirai, 60, who coached Kosuke Kitajima and others, revealed inside information, and the turmoil continues.

“One of the causes is that the athletes have exceeded the experience of the coaches. We need to talk about what to do about it.”

Seto, who has grown as an athlete and as a human being, will be making his third appearance on the big stage. Although the world record holder “monster” Léon Marchand (21) and others stand in the way of his long-cherished dream, Seto is looking straight ahead to the summit.

“I have one year left until the Paris Olympics, and I’m feeling happy right now. However, becoming a gold medalist is a dream of mine that I haven’t achieved yet. My pride will not allow me to finish without winning a gold medal in a competition with the title of Olympics. I will definitely achieve it, so please look forward to it.”

Seto smiled as he said this. He will make his last spurt for the rest of the year to show his family how his father’s father did at the Paris Olympics with a gold medal hanging around his neck.