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Biography
Takeshi Matsuda (松田 丈志, Matsuda Takeshi, born June 23, 1984 in Nobeoka, Miyazaki) is a retired Japanese Olympic, Asian and National Record holding swimmer. He swam for Japan at the 2004, 2008 Olympics, 2012 Olympics, and 2016 Olympics, winning four medals. At the 2008 Olympics, he won a bronze medal in the men's 200 m butterfly in an Asian Record of 1:52.97; in doing so, he also set the Japanese Record in the event. On November 12, 2011, Matsuda set a new Japanese record (1:49.50) at the FINA World Cup for the short course 200 m butterfly. In doing so, he became just the third swimmer in history to break the 1:50 barrier for the event.
Career
Early Years
Matsuda began swimming at the age of 4 at a local pool in Nobeoka, Miyazaki, Japan, a relatively rural town with little history in swimming. Since then, he has trained with the same coach, Yumiko Kuze, a rare female coach in the world of men's swimming. She was a swimmer in her youth and began as a volunteer coach at the local pool (personal interview).
2004 Olympics
At the 2004 Olympic Games, Matsuda placed 8th in the 400 m freestyle final.
2008 Olympics
In the final of the men's 200m butterfly at the 2008 Olympics, he finished 3rd to claim bronze. He came behind Michael Phelps and László Cseh, with a time of 1:52.97, an Asian record.
2012 Olympics
At the 2012 Olympics, Matsuda won two medals. He defended his bronze medal in the 200 meter butterfly and swam the butterfly leg for Japan's silver medal-winning relay team in the 4 × 100 meter medley relay with Ryosuke Irie, Kosuke Kitajima, and Takuro Fujii. He also swam the 100 meter butterfly, where he tied for sixteenth in the heats and subsequently lost a swim-off with Benjamin Starke of Germany, shutting him out of the semifinals.
2016 Olympics
At his final Olympics, Matsuda won a bronze medal in the 4 × 200 metre freestyle relay.
Personal bests
In long course
- 400m freestyle: 3:44.99 Former Japanese Record (August 9, 2008)
- 800m freestyle: 7:49.65 Japanese Record (April 19, 2009)
- 200m butterfly: 1:52.97 Asian Record (August 13, 2008)
In short course
- 200m butterfly: 1:49.50 Former Japanese Record (November 12, 2011)