Japan¡¯s Olympic poster boy Kosuke Hagino insists he can handle the pressure of the nation¡¯s expectations as he bids for swimming glory at this summer¡¯s Rio Games.
¡°The most important thing about the Olympics is to enjoy the atmosphere,¡± Hagino told reporters at the National Training Center on Thursday. ¡°Rather than being scared of the occasion, you have to embrace it. If you can do that then the pressure fades away naturally.¡±
Hagino heads to Brazil as one of Japan¡¯s top medal hopes after destroying the competition at last week¡¯s national championships in Tokyo, qualifying for four events in Rio and setting a new national record of 1 minute, 55.07 seconds in the 200-meter individual medley.
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