Japan Hosts 264 Athletes for Para Swimming World Series

Japan is rolling out the welcome mat for 264 Para swimmers from six continents, creating the country's biggest adaptive swimming showcase of the year. The World Series event in Fuji-Shizuoka runs through May 31 at a pool overlooking Mount Fuji and Suruga Bay.

Leading the home charge is Naohide Yamaguchi, who broke the world record in the 100m breaststroke SB14 earlier this year. The Paralympic and world champion earned Japan's only gold at the Singapore World Championships in 2025, cementing his status as one of the sport's brightest stars.

Japan's roster reads like a greatest hits album of Paralympic swimming. Keiichi Kimura, a three-time Paralympic gold medalist, will race the 100m butterfly while 39-year-old Takayuki Suzuki proves age is just a number with three events on his schedule. Paris 2024 bronze medalist Aira Kinoshita rounds out the powerhouse lineup with four races.

The international field sparkles with talent from every corner of the globe. Colombia's celebrated "Trío de Oro" made the journey, including Paralympic champions Nelson Crispin Corzo and Carlos Serrano alongside Sara Vargas. Three-time Paralympic champion Cameron Leslie flew in from New Zealand to compete in sprint events.

South Korea sent 22 athletes, making them the second-largest delegation, while Thailand brought 17 swimmers. Athletes from Ghana, Mexico, Spain, Greece, Hungary and Poland fill out a truly global starting list that showcases Para swimming's worldwide growth.

The Ripple Effect: This competition serves as crucial preparation for two major championships on the horizon. Asian athletes are tuning up for the Aichi-Nagoya 2026 Asian Para Games, while European competitors eye September's championships in Turkey. The World Series format has transformed Para swimming by creating regular international competition, helping athletes stay sharp and connected between major championships.

The May schedule tested everyone with back-to-back meets in France, Berlin and now Japan, producing season-defining performances week after week. After this sixth stop, the circuit takes a summer break before resuming in Guadalajara in August, then wrapping up with November meets in Lima and Abu Dhabi.

Fans worldwide can watch every race live streamed, bringing the excitement from a pool with postcard-perfect views straight to screens everywhere.