World Series 2025: Kimura, Suzuki and Tamaguchi headline inaugural meet in Fuji

After a stunning debut in Barcelona, Spain, the Para Swimming World Series is set to promote another first-ever meet – the inaugural World Series in Fuji-Shizuoka – adding a new chapter to the sport’s international calendar.

From Thursday to Saturday (10 to 12 April), 248 athletes from 22 nations will be in action in dozens of multi-class events at the Shizuoka Prefectural Fuji Swimming Pools.

Home stars

The event will have a strong local presence with 76 swimmers led by Japan’s Paralympic champions — Keiichi Kimura, Takayuki Suzuki, and Naohide Yamaguchi – comprising the home team. The trio secured their first Paralympic gold medals during the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games, held in 2021.

A veteran in the sport, Kimura won his first Paralympic gold in the men’s 100m butterfly S11 in Tokyo, after competing in four previous editions of the Games. He added another gold to his record at the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games, confirming his consistency at the highest level.

Kimura (S11) will be in action for the men’s 50m and 100m freestyle in addition to the 100m butterfly.

Suzuki (S4/SB3), who first competed in the Paralympics in Athens 2004, reached the top of the podium in the men’s 100m freestyle S4 in Tokyo. He also returned to gold medal form in Paris, winning in the same event, nearly two decades after his Paralympic debut.

The three-time Paralympic champion will also dive into the pool for three events – the men’s 50m and 100m freestyle, and the 50m breaststroke.

Yamaguchi (S14/SB14) made his Paralympic debut in Tokyo and claimed gold in the men’s 100m breaststroke SB14. He remains one of the key names in the Japanese team and will be competing in the men’s 100m backstroke and breaststroke, and 200m medley.

The Para Swimming World Series Fuji-Shizuoka 2025 will be live streamed on the Japanese Para Swimming Federation’s YouTube channel.

日本よ、行くぞ！

Get ready for three days of fast swims and stunning views — the first-ever Para Swimming World Series meet in Fuji-Shizuoka is approaching! 🤩#ParaSwimming #Paralympics pic.twitter.com/PKh6ItW9ta

— Para Swimming (@Para_swimming) April 7, 2025

Global Presence

The Fuji-Shizuoka World Series will bring together athletes from multiple countries and act as part of the pathway to future international competitions, including the World Championships and the LA 2028 Paralympic Games.

The Chinese team, with 17 athletes, form the third-largest delegation at the event. Among them is Jia Ma, a three-time Paralympic champion, who continues to be one of the country’s most experienced swimmers.

Mexico, the largest delegation from the Americas, will send 29 swimmers to Fuji. The team includes Paralympic champions Diego Lopez Diaz, Arnulfo Castorena, and Nely Miranda Herrera, all of whom have contributed to the country’s strong tradition in Para swimming.

Singapore's Yip Pin Xiu, a seven-time Paralympic champion, will be among the top contenders. She is also one of the leading figures of the host nation for the upcoming World Para Swimming Championships, scheduled to take place at home from 21 to 27 September 2025.

The complete Para Swimming World Series 2025 calendar can be found here.