Kanako Watanabe (渡部 香生子, Watanabe Kanako, born 15 November 1996) is a Japanese competitive swimmer who specializes in the breaststroke. She competed in the 2012 London Olympics at the age of 15 for the 200m Women's Breaststroke event. She again competed in the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio De Janeiro.[2][3]

Kanako Watanabe
Watanabe wins silver in Kazan
Personal information
Full nameKanako Watanabe
National team Japan
Born (1996-11-15) 15 November 1996 (age 28)
Tokyo, Japan
Height1.64 m (5 ft 5 in)[1]
Weight54 kg (119 lb)[1]
Sport
SportSwimming
StrokesBreaststroke, medley
Medal record
Women's swimming
Representing Japan
World Championships (LC)
Gold medal – first place 2015 Kazan 200 m breaststroke
Silver medal – second place 2015 Kazan 200 m medley
World Championships (SC)
Gold medal – first place 2014 Doha 200 m breaststroke
Bronze medal – third place 2012 Istanbul 200 m breaststroke
Bronze medal – third place 2014 Doha 4×100 m medley
Pan Pacific Championships
Gold medal – first place 2014 Gold Coast 200 m breaststroke
Silver medal – second place 2014 Gold Coast 100 m breaststroke
Asian Games
Gold medal – first place 2014 Incheon 200 m breaststroke
Gold medal – first place 2014 Incheon 4×100 m medley
Gold medal – first place 2018 Jakarta 200 m breaststroke
Silver medal – second place 2014 Incheon 100 m breaststroke
Silver medal – second place 2014 Incheon 200 m medley
Silver medal – second place 2014 Incheon 4×100 m freestyle
Summer Universiade
Gold medal – first place 2017 Taipei 100 m breaststroke
Gold medal – first place 2017 Taipei 200 m breaststroke
Gold medal – first place 2017 Taipei 4×100 m medley
Silver medal – second place 2019 Naples 4×100 m freestyle
Bronze medal – third place 2019 Naples 100 m breaststroke
Bronze medal – third place 2019 Naples 200 m breaststroke
World Junior Championships
Gold medal – first place 2011 Lima 200 m breaststroke
Gold medal – first place 2011 Lima 4×100 m medley
Silver medal – second place 2011 Lima 100 m breaststroke
Kazan 2015

Her swimming coach is Ryuji Omi. She is the daughter of Keiji and Emiko Watanabe.

Watanabe won the silver medal in the 200m medley at the 2015 World Aquatics Championships in Kazan, Russia. She also won a gold medal in the 200 metres breaststroke, and she gave the gold medal to her coach, in a gesture of gratitude to him.[4]

She has qualified to represent Japan at the 2020 Summer Olympics.[5]

References

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  1. ^ a b "Kanako Watanabe - Swimming - Olympic Athlete | London 2012". Archived from the original on 20 May 2013. Retrieved 1 August 2012.
  2. ^ Masuda, Yoko (25 July 2012). "2012 Olympic Profile: Kanako Watanabe". Wall Street Journal.
  3. ^ "【水泳】メダルの可能性十分。15歳・渡部香生子、進化の秘密|集英社のスポーツ総合雑誌 スポルティーバ 公式サイト web Sportiva|Other". Archived from the original on 31 October 2013. Retrieved 1 August 2012.
  4. ^ "O'Connor wins 200m medley bronze". BBC Sport.
  5. ^ "No Additional Names Added As JASF Finalizes Host Nation's OLY Roster". SwimSwam. 10 April 2021. Retrieved 11 April 2021.
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Records
Preceded by Mixed 4 × 50 metres freestyle relay world record-holder
18 October 2013 – 21 October 2013
With: Shinri Shioura, Sayaka Akase, Kenta Ito
Succeeded by