Yasu Hirai Fukuoka OLY (MSF bio here, World Aquatics bio here, @fortheloveofyasu) is attempting to swim in the wake of fellow Olympian Spiros Gianniotis (MSF bio here, @spirosgianniotis_).
Gianniotis qualified for his first Olympics in 2000, his second Olympics in 2004 in his native Greece, then he finished 16th in the 10 km marathon swim at the 2008 Beijing Olympics – after temporarily taking the lead on the final loop, then he finished just out of the podium 4th in the 2012 London Olympics, and then at the age of 36 in his fifth and final Olympic Games, he won a silver medal in the 2016 Rio Olympics marathon swim – just barely touched out by Ferry Weertman of the Netherlands.
His dedication and commitment to winning an Olympic medal were impressive – and provides an inspiration to Hirai. “My goal is to place in the Top 8 at the Ironman World Championships in Kona in 2026. Similarly, my friend Spiros motivates me to strive for a medal at the Los Angeles Olympics in 2028 when I’ll be 38.”
He is on track, winning the 5 km at the Sydney Harbour Splash on January 26th, held annually on Australia Day, and the 2.4 km Santorini Experience in Greece. “This victory has given me immense confidence as I prepare for the 10K marathon swim at the 2026 Asian Games in Nagoya, Japan (@asiangames_2026), the Ironman Triathlon World Championships in Kona 2026 (@ironmantri), and the 10K marathon swim at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics (@la28games).”
Results – Top 10 Finishers
- Yasu Hirai 31:49.26
- Negris Dimitrios 32:15.06
- ΣΤΑΜΟΥ ΚΩΝΣΤΑΝΤΙΝΟΣ 32:42.84
- ΑΒΑΓΙΑΝΟΣ ΙΩΑΝΝΗΣ 35:14.40
- ΒΛΑΧΟΣ ΣΤΕΦΑΝΟΣ 35:22.02
- Slavchev Preslav 35:29.31
- Maria Zafeiratou 35:32.82 [first female, shown below]
- ΤΣΙΆΒΟΣ ΚΩΝΣΤΑΝΤΊΝΟΣ 35:37.74
- ΙΩΑΝΝΟΥ ΕΦΡΑΙΜ-ΠΑΝΑΓΙΩΤΗΣ 36:06.33
- Kozadinos Ioannis 36:09.51
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