World Aquatics President Husain Al-Musallam opened this year’s event with his memories from 2001 when athletes like Michael Phelps, Ian Thorpe, Kosuke Kitajima, and Japan’s gold-medal-winning artistic swimmers Miya Tachibana and Miho Takeda became household names.

“So many athletes from Fukuoka 2001 helped raise aquatics to the highest level. It’s one of – if not the – best World Aquatics Championships in history. I am confident we will say the same at these championships as today’s stars and new names turn in legendary performances once again in Fukuoka and give hope for future generations.”

On Friday, diving and artistic swimming will animate the opening day of competition as 2,393 aquatic athletes from Afghanistan to Zimbabwe will vie for the 75 sets of medals and a piece of the 5.67 million USD prize money over the next 17 days.

Joining the World Aquatics President Al-Musallam at the opening press conference were World Aquatics Executive Director Brent Nowicki, Fukuoka City Mayor Soichiro Takashima, Organising Committee President (and Olympic gold medallist) Daichi Suzuki, and six top athletes who will compete here.

The competitors all echoed the World Aquatics President’s message of excitement and anticipation, in different ways.

Japan’s first-ever artistic swimming World Champion Yukiko Inui will begin her campaign tomorrow with the first championship medals on the line. The two-time defending World Aquatics champion said she’s ready to show the world her best swimming at home.

“I have been very much looking forward to the events in Fukuoka,” said Inui. “As the top batter, I will do my best to create a good flow and momentum for the whole Japanese team.”

Florian Wellbrock, a reigning two-time World Champion in open water swimming who took home five medals in the pool and open water last year in Budapest said, “I really like the challenge to make the step from open water to the pool and to compete in both. I think it’s a good challenge for your mind and for your body to compete in both.”

Competing at her fourth World Aquatics Championships, Chinese diver Chen Yiwen will be trying to defend her world titles in the Women’s 3m Springboard and Women’s 3m Springboard Synchronised events.  In addition, Chen said she aims to help extend China’s historic diving performances.

“It’s an honour to be here today representing one of the best teams in the world,” Chen said. “Of course, there is pressure as well with all the great divers and gold medallists there has been in the past and I’m still trying to reach what they achieved. I’m just trying to do my best and looking forward to the competition.”

One athlete looking to upset the powerful Chinese diving team is Japan’s rising star Rikuto Tamai. Tamai claimed silver in Budapest last year in the men’s 10m Platform event at age 16 and now aims to go one better at his home World Aquatics Championships.

“Last year’s silver was a confidence booster for me, and that confidence is fuelling me to do better in Fukuoka and other events in the future. I really want to tap into that competence I’ve gained,” Tamai said.

Another athlete looking to duplicate past success is Spain’s water polo captain, Felipe Perrone. A four-time World Aquatics Championships medallist, Perrone would like to replicate Spain’s victory from 2001, when the country defended its world title in men’s water polo.

“I think we are really prepared and confident, especially here in Fukuoka,” Perrone said. “Looking back over 22 years, it’s amazing to see how the city has developed and how this event has developed - so thank you very much World Aquatics. ’Arigato gozaimas’ to Fukuoka. It’s a pleasure to be here and I think we’re going to show the world our best and I hope you enjoy it.”

Greek water polo player Margarita Plevritou also commented on Fukuoka’s welcoming environment.

“Thank you for the great hospitality - it’s amazing,” Plevritou said. “We did a lot of preparation for this World Aquatics Championships and have some very big games. My team is ready and we will show this in the water!”

 

Contributing: Cam Nation