Our University's Shunta Shirane Wins the 200m Freestyle at the Northern Japan Public University Championships and Qualifies for the National Public University Championships

From Friday, June 26 to Sunday, June 28, 2026, the 19th Northern Japan Student Swimming Championships and the 41st Northern Japan Public University Swimming Championships were held at the Central Sports Miyagi G21 Pool in Rifu Town, Miyagi Prefecture. Eight students from the University of Aizu Swimming Club participated in the competition.

At this tournament, Shunta SHIRANE, a first-year undergraduat student and member of the Swimming Club, achieved outstanding results in the Men's 100m and 200m Freestyle events and qualified for the 73rd National Public University Swimming Championships.
This marks the third consecutive year that the University of Aizu Swimming Club has advanced to the national championships.

Shirane won the Men's 200m Freestyle at the Northern Japan Public University Swimming Championships with a time of 1:57.58. In the same event at the Northern Japan Student Swimming Championships, he recorded an impressive time of 1:57.22 and finished in 3rd place. He also placed 8th in the Men's 100m Freestyle at the Northern Japan Public University Swimming Championships with a time of 54.63.
In the Men's 4×100m Freestyle Relay, Shirane swam the first leg and recorded a time of 53.21. This performance also surpassed the long-course qualifying standard of 54.21 for the 100m Freestyle, securing his qualification for the national championships in two individual events.

The national championships will be held from Friday, August 7 to Sunday, August 9, 2026, at PERSOL AQUA PARK MIYAZAKI in Miyazaki City, Miyazaki Prefecture. We look forward to the continued success of Shirane and the University of Aizu Swimming Club on the national stage.

Thank you for your warm support.

<Major Results>

Tournament Name:
The 19th Northern Japan Student Swimming Championships
and the 41st Northern Japan Public University Swimming Championships
Dates : Friday, June 26 - Sunday, June 28, 2026
Venue : Central Sports Miyagi G21 Pool
Rifu Town, Miyagi District, Miyagi Prefecture
Athlete : Shunta SHIRANE (Swimming Club, First-year undergraduate student)

Men's 200m Freestyle
1:57.58 : 1st Place
Northern Japan Public University Swimming Championships
1:57.22 : 3rd Place
Northern Japan Student Swimming Championships

Men's 100m Freestyl
54.63 : 8th Place
Northern Japan Public University Swimming Championships

Men's 4×100m Freestyle Relay
First-leg swimmer : 53.21
※Qualified for the National Public University Swimming Championships by surpassing the long-course qualifying standard of 54.21 in the 100m Freestyle.

<National Championship Overview>

Tournament Name : The 73rd National Public University Swimming Championships
Dates : Friday, August 7 - Sunday, August 9, 2026
Venue : PERSOL AQUA PARK MIYAZAKI
Address : 4-1 Nishikihonmachi, Miyazaki City, Miyazaki Prefecture
Organizer : Japan Swimming Federation
Co-organizer : Japan's Hinata Miyazaki National Sports Festival and National Sports Festival for Persons with Disabilities Miyazaki City Executive Committee