Japan's Suzuki, 35, Wins Silver in New National Record at Asian Games
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Japanese swimmer Satomi Suzuki, aged 35, has won a silver medal at the Asian Games. She swam a new Japanese national record of 29.91 seconds.
This medal means Suzuki has now stood on the podium at five Asian Games in a row. It is a rare and impressive achievement for a swimmer of her age.
The silver was Suzuki's tenth medal at the Asian Games in total. This makes her one of the most successful Japanese athletes in the history of the event.
Interestingly, although the Asian Games are officially being held in Aichi and Nagoya, the swimming competitions took place in Tokyo. Organisers were forced to change the location because of problems with the swimming facilities originally planned for use.
In another important result, Tomoyuki Matsushita won gold in the men's 200m individual medley. This was Japan's first swimming gold medal at this year's Asian Games.
Matsushita's victory was especially notable because it was Japan's first title in this event in 12 years. The previous Japanese winner was Kosuke Hagino, back in 2014.
Also in the pool, 17-year-old swimmer Yuki Kojima won a silver medal, showing that young Japanese talent is coming through alongside experienced athletes like Suzuki.
Vocabulary9 words
- silver medal
- the prize given for finishing second
- Japanese national record
- the fastest time ever achieved by a Japanese swimmer
- podium
- the place where medal winners stand
- achievement
- a great result after much effort
- successful
- having won many times
- competitions
- sports events where people try to win
- facilities
- buildings or places built for a purpose
- individual medley
- a swimming race using four different strokes
- talent
- natural skill or ability
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Quiz
Answer key
1. 29.91 seconds 2. Because of problems with the planned facilities 3. 12 years
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Fill-in-the-blank listening
Play the audio again and fill in the missing words as you listen.
Japanese swimmer Satomi Suzuki, aged 35, has won a _____ medal at the Asian Games.
She swam a new Japanese national record of _____ seconds.
This medal means Suzuki has now stood on the _____ at five Asian Games in a row.
The silver was Suzuki's _____ medal at the Asian Games in total.
Although the Asian Games are officially in Aichi and Nagoya, the swimming competitions took place in _____.
Organisers changed the location because of problems with the swimming _____.
Tomoyuki Matsushita won _____ in the men's 200m individual medley.
This was Japan's first title in this event in _____ years.
A 17-year-old swimmer named _____ also won a silver medal.
Discussion questions
- Why do you think it is difficult for a 35-year-old athlete to keep competing at a high level?
- What challenges might organisers face when hosting a big sports event across different cities?
- Why is winning a medal at five events in a row considered such a big achievement?
- How important do you think it is for young athletes like Kojima to compete alongside experienced ones like Suzuki?
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