The Japanese Olympic trials in Tokyo marked the end of the line for Athens Olympic silver medallist Takashi Yamamoto, who, having finished third in the 200m butterfly earlier in the week, ended fourth in the 100m. The race was won by Masayuki Kishida in a national record of 51.86, with Takuro Fujii taking the second berth, on 52.25.

Athens Olympic bronze medallist Reiko Nakamura, 25, raced into a second event for the Olympic Games in Beijing with a 2:08.80 victory in the 200m backstroke (to add to the 100m berth already secured).

After winning her second straight and fifth overall national title in the event ahead of the woman who defeated her in the 100m, Hanae Ito - second on 2:09.41 - she said: 'I was determined to win at any cost and qualify for the Olympics," said Nakamura, who missed a new national record by 0.26 seconds. I slowed down at the last moment. I'm going to salvage this disappointment at the Beijing Olympics. Hopefully, I can bring back a heavier medal than I took at the Athens Olympics.'

Three others added their name to the squad as the trials came to a close, Megumi Taneda and Rie Kaneto making the grade in the women's 200m breaststroke, and Haruka Ueda in the 100m freestyle.

Taneda, 21, clocked 2:24.54 to regain the title she won three years ago, beating Kaneto in 2:26.28, with defending champion Nanaka Tamura locked out, on 2:26.66.

Ueda, already on the 4x200m freestyle squad, claimed the 100m free title in 55.60, outside the individual target but good enough to qualify for a place in the medley relay.

Hisayoshi Sato clocked 49.70 to retain the 100m freestyle title and Takeshi Matsuda claimed the 1500m freestyle crown in 15:15.67, but neither was good enough for a ticket to Beijing and will sit at home watching much slower men from a whole variety of nations plodding through the heats at the Watercube.