Why Experience Matters With a Pool Contractor: World Junior Record Holder, Olympic Finalist Mizuki Hirai Commits to Tennessee

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World Junior Record holder Mizuki Hirai has announced her commitment to Tennessee, she announced via Instagram. She will arrive in fall 2025.

“I am super excited to announce my verbal commitment to swim and study at the University of Tennessee!! I am incredibly thankful for the support of my family, coaches, and friends.
Go Vols! “

Hirai just finished representing Japan at the 2024 Paris Olympics. Hirai swam a 56.71 in the women’s 100 fly in prelims, the 2nd fastest time of the morning to earn a spot in semifinals. She then swam a 56.80 in semifinals for 7th and went on to finish 7th in finals touching in a 57.19.

In addition to her individual 100 fly, she also swam in the women’s 4×100 medley relay and the mixed 4×100 medley relay for Japan. The women’s relay finished 5th in finals and Hirai had her fastest split then with a 56.27.

Earlier this summer, Hirai set a World Junior Record in the girls 100 fly, swimming a 56.33 at the end of June. That broke the official record of a 56.43 that Claire Curzan of the US swam in 2021. Curzan was faster with a 56.20 in April 2021 although that time was never ratified.

Hirai’s best time LCM time converted to SCY:

100 fly: 56.33 (49.48)

The Tennessee women finished 2nd at the 2024 SEC Championships and went on to a 4th place finish at NCAAs. The team was led by rising senior Josephine Fuller.

Hirai has the potential to make a huge impact based on her best converted time in the 100 fly. No swimmer was under the 50-second mark in the 100 fly at SECs. Hirai’s best converted time also would have been #2 at 2024 NCAAs, only behind Gretchen Walsh who swam an NCAA record of a 47.42.

Hirai will arrive next fall as a member of the class of 2029 along with Lilly Robertson, Nicole Zettel, Avery Luedke, Mere Whelehan, Amelia Mason, and Alyssa Claborn. Hirai is notably the first international recruit of the class.

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