[Numerous Masters World Records/New Japanese Records at Tokyo Olympics Venue!] Japanese Lifesavers' Swimming Abilities Improving, The 38th All Japan Lifesaving Pool Competition Saw Its Closest Races Ever!

The Japan Life Saving Association (JLA, Minato-ku, Tokyo, Director: Takuya Iritani) held the "38th All Japan Lifesaving Pool Competition" for two days from February 21 (Saturday) to 22 (Sunday), 2026, at the Tokyo Aquatics Center (Koto-ku, Tokyo).

This was the second time the competition was held at the Tokyo Aquatics Center.

In the Obstacle Swim (200m), the first event to decide medalists, two youth athletes drew attention. For the women, Karen Hashimoto from Nihon Taiiku Daigaku Ebara High School LSC won for the first time. She also won the Surf Race, which requires the highest swimming ability, at the "51st All Japan Lifesaving Championship" held at Katase Nishihama Beach (Fujisawa City, Kanagawa Prefecture) in October. She defeated the previous champion and the university champion. In third place was Shiori Kawahata, a third-year junior high school student belonging to Kitajima Aquatics. For the men, Eiji Horita from Tsuyukuri LSC, the previous year's champion, won. In third place was Natsu Takada, a third-year junior high school student belonging to Kitajima Aquatics. Takada's time was competitive enough for the youth world championships.

髙田夏都選手 / キタジマアクアティクス（1番手前）

The most exciting event of this competition was the Manikin Carry (50m). Especially for the men, the Japanese record has been broken several times in the past year. In the preliminary heats, Shun Nishiyama from Chigasaki SLSC broke his own Japanese record set just a week prior, achieving a new Japanese record of 29.02 seconds and a new Masters 35 division world record, qualifying as the top seed. Shuta Harata from Shirahama LSC, who qualified second, also set a new Japanese record of 29.36 seconds. In the finals, four swimmers were able to swim in the 29-second range, making it an unpredictable race. The winner was Harata, last year's champion. Although he narrowly missed Nishiyama's preliminary time by 0.05 seconds, he won with his personal best of 29.07 seconds. Such an intense race, where it was unclear who would set a new Japanese record, was incredibly exciting, and it was thrilling to see these top Japanese athletes leading the lifesaving sport.

原柊太選手 / 白浜ライフセービングクラブ

In the fin events, Manikin Carry with Fins (100m) and Manikin Tow with Fins (100m), Saya Nasukawa and Shun Nishiyama from Chigasaki SLSC, both active as Japanese national team members, achieved two titles each. Lifesaving is a sport that requires not only swimming ability but also technical skill in handling equipment. As national team members, they demonstrated consistent performance, possessing both abilities.

Furthermore, Nishiyama set new Japanese records in three events and new world records in four events in the Masters 35 division, showcasing his overwhelming strength.

西山俊選手 / 茅ヶ崎サーフライフセービングクラブ

In the Super Lifesaver (200m), often called the 'star event' in pool competitions, the women's gold medal went to Sara Hamachi of Nishihama SLSC. She significantly improved her personal best and won the student championships. In this competition, she maintained her top-level time and achieved her first All Japan Championship individual event victory. For the men, Ryunosuke Shigeada of Tsuyukuri LSC, the Japanese record holder, won for the second consecutive year. He set a new competition record in the preliminaries, and though his time dropped in the finals, he demonstrated his leadership in pool competitions as a national team member.

浜地沙羅選手 / 西浜サーフライフセービングクラブ

In the Line Throw, a competition where participants accurately and quickly reel in and throw a line to a drowning person floating 12.5m away within 45 seconds, speed and accuracy are crucial. In this event, Mihoko Yashima of Otake SLSC (2nd place for women) and Hana Nakano of Kamogawa LSC (3rd place) frequently win medals and place in competitions. Both athletes also won medals at the student championships.

八島理穂子選手 / 大竹サーフライフセービングクラブ

Last year, in the Men's Medley Relay (4x50m) preliminaries, Tsuyukuri LSC and Tan'no LSC tied for 8th place, leading to an unusual swim-off in lifesaving competitions to decide who would advance to the finals. This year, amidst intense races, the Men's Obstacle Relay (4x50m) final saw Nishihama SLSC Team A and Otake SLSC tie for second place with a time of 1 minute 43.69 seconds. Both teams made strong comebacks in the third and fourth legs, resulting in a tie.

障害物リレー（4×50ｍ）の表彰式の様子

The Pool Lifesaver Relay (4x50m), the only mixed event in this competition, requires each team to select two male and two female swimmers, determining the swimming order. The winning team, Chigasaki SLSC, consisted entirely of nationally designated elite athletes, with women swimming the first half and men carrying the mannequin in the second. This composition is common among top-placing teams and record-holders. Shirahama LSC, which finished second, used a different strategy with men in the 1st and 3rd legs and women in the 2nd and 4th. Shirahama LSC was also second last year and narrowly missed the win by just 0.5 seconds, raising expectations for next year. Nihon Taiiku Daigaku Ebara High School LSC secured third place, demonstrating solid results as a high school team.

プールライフセーバーリレーの様子（2泳から3泳への引き継ぎ）

## "Nishihama Surf Lifesaving Club" Wins Overall Championship!!

The overall champion of this competition was Nishihama Surf Lifesaving Club. After consecutive second-place finishes since the 2021 season, they achieved their first overall victory in four years. While they had fewer individual winners, they consistently placed in multiple events and team competitions, earning crucial points. The success of their youth athletes also contributed significantly.

Second place went to "Chigasaki Surf Lifesaving Club," home to Shun Nishiyama, who set many new records. Third place was awarded to "Tsuyukuri Lifesaving Club," bolstered by strong performances from their male athletes.

**Winning Athletes/Teams**

Obstacle Swim (200m) (Women): Karen Hashimoto / Nittai Ebara LSC
Obstacle Swim (200m) (Men): Eiji Horita / Tsuyukuri LSC
Manikin Carry (50m) (Women): Nana Takatsu / Nishihama SLSC
Manikin Carry (50m) (Men): Shuta Harata / Shirahama LSC
Rescue Medley (100m) (Women): Nana Takatsu / Nishihama SLSC
Rescue Medley (100m) (Men): Eiji Horita / Tsuyukuri LSC *New Japanese/Competition Record*
Manikin Carry with Fins (100m) (Women): Saya Nasukawa / Chigasaki SLSC
Manikin Carry with Fins (100m) (Men): Shun Nishiyama / Chigasaki SLSC *New Japanese/Competition Record*
Manikin Tow with Fins (100m) (Women): Saya Nasukawa / Chigasaki SLSC
Manikin Tow with Fins (100m) (Men): Shun Nishiyama / Chigasaki SLSC *New Japanese/Competition Record*
Super Lifesaver (200m) (Women): Sara Hamachi / Nishihama SLSC
Super Lifesaver (200m) (Men): Ryunosuke Shigeada / Tsuyukuri LSC *New Competition Record*

Obstacle Relay (4x50m) (Women): Chigasaki SLSC
Obstacle Relay (4x50m) (Men): Tsuyukuri LSC
Manikin Relay (4x25m) (Women): Chigasaki SLSC Team.B
Manikin Relay (4x25m) (Men): Otake SLSC *New Competition Record*
Medley Relay (4x50m) (Women): Nishihama SLSC Team.A *New Competition Record*
Medley Relay (4x50m) (Men): Otake SLSC
Pool Lifesaver Relay (4x50m) (Mixed): Chigasaki SLSC Team.A
Line Throw (12.5m) (Women): Chigasaki SLSC Team.A
Line Throw (12.5m) (Men): Tateyama SLSC Team.C

See the tournament highlights on the Association's YouTube channel.

【DAY1】https://www.youtube.com/live/VuXbuYeS_Nw?feature=share

【DAY2】https://www.youtube.com/live/X_NLsJJ_zjk?feature=share

## "Nishihama Surf Lifesaving Club" Wins Overall Championship for Two Consecutive Years!!

The annual series determines the overall champion team based on results from three competitions: Ocean (Sea), Pool, and SERC.

With overall wins in Ocean and Pool, and a second-place finish in SERC, they secured the annual championship.