Kosuke Kitajima and Tomoko Hagiwara were among the swimmers named Monday by the Japan Swimming Federation (JSF) as representatives for the Pan Pacific championships and the Asian Games.
Breaststroke specialist Kitajima claimed a triple crown at last week's national championships while the versatile Hagiwara became the first swimmer in championship history to win four titles in a single meet. Hagiwara is expected to swim in backstroke, individual medley and freestyle races at both events.
The Pan Pacific championships will be held in Yokohama on Aug. 24-29 and the Asian Games in Pusan, South Korea, on Sept. 29-Oct. 14.
JSF officials said the list of members for the Pan Pacific meet consists of 40 names while 34 swimmers will participate in the Asian Games, including 18 who competed at last year's world championships.
Noriko Inada, who recently came out of retirement, will make her first appearance in a major international competition since swimming at the 2000 Sydney Olympics.
Tomohiro Yamanoi, bronze medalist in the 50-meter freestyle at the world championships, failed to meet a qualifying standard set by the JSF.
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