Athens Olympic breaststroke double gold medalist Kosuke Kitajima and freestyle Olympic gold medalist Ai Shibata were among 35 swimmers named Monday to compete in the world championships in July, the Japan Swimming Federation said.
The contingent, featuring 11 Olympic athletes, traveling to the July 17-31 Montreal meet is the largest from Japan to compete at a world championships following the 39 that took part in the 2001 Fukuoka meet.
Twenty swimmers met the Japan Swimming Federation's qualifying standards for the world championships at the conclusion of the national championships on Sunday, while another 15 are among those who will compete in relay events.