Sports · Other Sports · 13 hrs ago
Japan names artistic swimming team, with Sato withdrawing from selection camp
Japan has named an artistic swimming team for next year’s world championships in Budapest.
The team includes Moe Higa and Ayano Shimada, as well as 16-year-old Niina Tadokoro.
Yuka Sato was not selected after withdrawing from the final selection camp.
Sato, 25, represented Japan at the Paris Olympics and captained the team at the recent Asian Games.
Her withdrawal was her own choice, not because of an injury.
The decision leaves out a recent team captain from the group heading toward the championships.
Tadokoro, whose father is musician Diamond Yukai, has competed in junior and youth international events.
Japan’s swimming federation announced its artistic swimming representatives or candidates for the 2027 season on Nov. 4.
Sato Yuka was not selected after withdrawing from the final selection camp by her own choice.
Sato had captained the team at the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games and partnered with Moe Higa in the duet.
Sixteen-year-old Niina Tadokoro was selected for the team, while Ayano Shimada and Higa were also named.
- Who
- Japan’s swimming federation announced the artistic swimming team or candidates. Sato Yuka was not selected, and Niina Tadokoro was among those chosen.
- What
- The federation announced its artistic swimming representatives or candidates for the 2027 season; Sato withdrew from the final selection camp.
- When
- Nov. 4, 2026.
- Where
- The federation held its regular board meeting in Tokyo, according to Nikkan Sports.
- Why
- Sato withdrew by her own choice; the sources do not state her reason.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Sato withdrew from the final selection camp by her own choice and was not selected.
Japan’s swimming federation announced its artistic swimming representatives or candidates for the 2027 season.
- Announcement date
- Nov. 4, 2026
- Next season
- 2027
- Sato Yuka
- 25 years old; withdrew from the final selection camp
- Niina Tadokoro
- 16 years old; 172 cm tall
- Tadokoro’s May Japanese championships
- Fourth in solo free routine; second in duet technical routine and team free routine
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