Olympic pressure fuels me, says Japan swim star Kosuke Hagino

Japan’s Kosuke Hagino on Thursday laughed off suggestions he might choke as he looks to end American domination of the Olympic men’s 400 metres individual medley.

The 21-year-old, who pipped Michael Phelps to take bronze behind gold medallist Ryan Lochte in London four years ago, is a hot tip to halt a run of five successive titles by American swimmers in Saturday’s event.

But Hagino insisted he thrives on pressure despite the absence of Phelps and Lochte in the 400 medley.

“I really don’t feel the pressure that much,” he said. “Of course, American swimmers have dominated in the past but that’s not going to stop me going out and trying to win gold.

“I just want to win, that’s all,” he added. “Everything else is just noise. I’d be a liar if I said I didn’t feel any pressure but it doesn’t eat away at me. I let it ooze into my body and I use it as nutrition. It fuels me.”

The United States team are looking to Chase Kalisz and Jay Litherland, although neither have posted times fast enough to suggest they can ambush Hagino.

Hagino’s Japan team-mate Daiya Seto, who won last year’s world title in Hagino’s absence through injury, also poses a threat while Brazilian Thiago Pereira, the London silver medallist, will have feverish home support.