Tamai’s strong performance in Paris

Tamai's performance in Paris was extraordinary. After delivering solid performances in the preliminary and semi-final rounds, he came remarkably close to breaking China’s gold medal sweep in the diving events at the Paris 2024 Games. In the final, Tamai opened with near-perfect dives, taking the lead over defending champion Cao Yuan after the second round and maintaining pressure on him through the fourth dive.

However, in the fifth round, an over-rotated dive resulted in a large splash, earning him just 39.10 points and ceding the lead to Cao. Yet, Tamai redeemed himself with a flawless final dive—a back 2½ somersault with 2½ twists—earning the highest score of the day, 99.00 points. This final effort brought his total score to 507.65, securing his place on the podium with a silver medal. As he emerged from the pool, a smile spread across Tamai’s face, while tears welled up in the eyes of his coach, Suei Mabuchi, as they embraced.

"I put all my soul into this performance. When I went under the water, I felt the pressure, but when I came up again, the crowd's cheers told me I had done well," Tamai reflected after the final. "Everyone said, ‘You did it.’ I was amazed at myself. I wanted gold. There was tension until the fourth dive, but it disappeared when I became the chaser, trying to catch up. I loved that feeling—trying to beat China."

Determination for the dream of the Japanese diving community

Tamai's victory represents a dream realized not only for himself but for the entire Japanese diving community. Despite numerous attempts, no Japanese diver had managed to clinch an Olympic medal until last night. Tamai, hailing from Takarazuka, began diving at the age of six at a local club where Japanese diving legend Ken Terauchi trained.

Terauchi, a six-time Olympian and one-time World Championships medalist, has been a significant inspiration for Tamai. Terauchi first captured national attention by winning the Japan National Championships at age 13 and making his Olympic debut at 15 during the Atlanta 1996 Games. Although he later transitioned from the 10m platform to the 3m springboard, Terauchi continued to represent Japan across four consecutive Olympic Games until 2008 in Beijing, with a return at the Rio 2016 Games and another appearance at the Tokyo 2020 Games. His best finish was fifth place in Sydney 2000 and Tokyo 2020, with the Olympic podium remaining an elusive goal for him and the Japanese diving community.

"I made a big mistake in the 307C, and there were moments when my emotions were unstable. But I also thought it made for an interesting turn of events. It wasn’t just my own feelings; I was carrying the hopes of my coach, Mr. Terauchi, and everyone else. It was a reflection of my determination to seize the dream and goal that was right in front of me," Tamai said when asked by Japanese TV why he was smiling before his last dive.

Correspondingly, Ken Terauchi shared his thoughts on Tamai through Japanese media in an essay-style message:

"Rikuto, congratulations from the bottom of my heart. Winning Japan's first Olympic medal is a significant achievement. It’s been 23 years since I won a medal at the World Championships. The level of competition in the world has increased tremendously since then, and I am proud of how you fought as a true top diver in the world.

“It was eight years ago at the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympics send-off ceremony when we took a picture together, and you said, ‘Ken, do your best.’ I always had a feeling that a day like this would come."

Pathway and next goal

Tamai's path, guided by the same coach, Suei Mabuchi, mirrors Terauchi’s journey and even surpasses it. Tamai won Japan’s national title at just 12 years old in 2019. Although age restrictions prevented him from competing at the 2019 World Championships in Gwangju, he made a sensational debut at the FINA Diving Grand Prix the same year, securing silver medals in the 10m platform events in Malaysia and Singapore at the age of 13.

Tamai competed in the Tokyo 2020 Games at just 14, finishing in seventh place—a result that fueled his determination to return to the Olympics and win a medal. In 2022, he claimed a silver medal at the World Championships in Budapest, establishing himself as a serious contender in the 10m platform event. Last year, at the World Aquatics Championships in Fukuoka, Tamai secured his Olympic spot with a dive in the 10m platform final, although an injury forced him to withdraw from the remaining attempts.

"I want to win a gold medal. I can do it next time. I’m on the right track. Next time will be gold. Now I’m going to hang out and eat yakiniku [barbecued meat]," Tamai said.

Now an Olympic silver medalist at just 17, Rikuto Tamai has his sights set on his next goal: the gold medal. His journey continues, carrying the dreams of the Japanese diving community and honoring the legacy of those predecessors.