Toshi Nishiyama, a long-time member of the Japanese National Team 'Lifesaving Japan,' Becomes World Record Holder in All Events in the Masters 35+ Age Category!!

On February 21-22, 2026 (Saturday and Sunday), the "38th All Japan Lifesaving Pool Competition" was held at the Tokyo Aquatics Centre (Koto-ku, Tokyo). We are pleased to announce that Toshi Nishiyama, a long-time member of the Japanese National Team "Lifesaving Japan" and affiliated with the Chigasaki Surf Lifesaving Club, has set new world records in the Masters category.

The "38th All Japan Lifesaving Pool Competition" was an officially sanctioned event by International Life Saving (ILS), enabling the recognition of world records.

At this competition, Nishiyama set 3 new Japanese records and 4 new world records in the Masters <35 age category>. He was already the world record holder in three events: Obstacle Swim (200m), Manikin Carry with Fins (100m), and Super Lifesaver (200m). This competition saw him further improve his time in the Manikin Carry with Fins (100m) and newly establish world records in the Rescue Medley (100m), Manikin Carry (50m), and Manikin Tow with Fins (100m).

As a result, Nishiyama has become the **world record holder in all events for the Masters <35 age category>**. This is a historic first for a Japanese lifesaving athlete and a remarkable achievement!

* Obstacle Swim (200m): 02:03.10 ※38th All Japan Pool
* Rescue Medley (100m): 01:01.45 ※39th All Japan Pool
* Manikin Carry with Fins (100m): 51.14 ※39th All Japan Pool
* Manikin Tow with Fins (100m): 46.23 ※39th All Japan Pool
* Manikin Carry (50m): 29.02 ※39th All Japan Pool
* Super Lifesaver (200m): 02:18.15 ※38th All Japan Pool

The site where world records are listed is here: https://sport.ilsf.org/records

## Comments from Nishiyama
I started lifesaving at the age of 18, when I entered university.

My participation in multiple international competitions during my university years was a major turning point. From that experience, the strong desire to "continue competing globally even after becoming an adult" grew, and I resolved to seriously pursue the sport. Since then, while struggling to balance work and my personal life, I have carved out an environment where I can continue to compete.

Although I have participated in the World Championships seven times, I honestly cannot say I have achieved satisfactory results on the world stage. While I have achieved numerous excellent results domestically, looking back at my competitive career, I feel there were more losses and regrets on the world stage. That is precisely why my desire to "reach higher" has been stronger than anyone else's, and my motivation has never waned. For a time, I was crushed by the pressure to "win," and went through mentally tough periods, but now I can enjoy the competition itself from the bottom of my heart.

Being able to update all Masters world records in the 35 age category this time feels like my efforts have manifested in a tangible form, and I am purely happy. However, this is merely a stepping stone; what I truly aim for is to achieve results on the world stage in the **open category**.

Being one of the longest-serving members of the Japanese national team means I have received considerable support, and therefore, I feel the strongest responsibility to reciprocate that with results.

Furthermore, while lifesaving involves diverse activities, I believe that what I can contribute most to right now is achieving results in the field of "competition." I believe that success in competition leads to increased recognition and value for lifesaving itself, and serves as a catalyst for more people to aspire to become lifesavers in the future. As I've aged, my training methods, mindset, diet, and conditioning have changed significantly. There are many things I could do when I was younger that I can no longer do. Nevertheless, rather than making age an excuse, I enjoy the process of continuously experimenting with growth methods that suit my current self. And I increasingly realize that I can continue competing like this only because of the devoted support of my family and the surrounding environment.

I look forward to the day when I can repay such support after retiring from the front lines of competition, but my growth seems to be unstoppable to a surprising degree, so that day might be quite a ways off. (Laughs)

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## What is Lifesaving Sport: "The Sport of Saving (Protecting) Lives"
Lifesaving competition was born in Australia in 1908 (Meiji 41). The reason for its birth was a single point: "to save those who are drowning." In lifesaving competitions, "accuracy" is sought even more than "speed." That speed and accuracy, in a sport that "wishes boundless peace of mind to those in distress and the return of desperate lives from death," means victory is equivalent to "the dignity of life." As a sport rooted in humanism, its true meaning transcends victory or defeat; it is "the sport of saving (protecting) lives" and possesses the philosophy of "the person who saves/protects is the one who is there." Lifesaving competition, born in this way, is not only "a sport for self-fulfillment but also serves the purpose of life-saving based on humanitarianism, which is one of the significances of lifesaving competition." Lifesaving competitions are based on simulations of actual rescue activities, aiming to maintain and improve rescue techniques and physical strength for rescue operations.

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## Nippon Lifesaving Association (Public Interest Incorporated Foundation)
This organization aims to contribute to the safe and comfortable use of watersides by citizens by promoting and developing lifesaving, including environmental conservation, safety guidance, monitoring, and rescue activities in waterside environments nationwide, such as coastlines and pools.
https://jla-lifesaving.or.jp/

Keywords: Lifesaving, Lifesaver, Masters, World Record, Zero Waterside Accidents, Sports, Swimming, Sea, Chigasaki, Lifesaving Japan