The Tennessee Volunteers have gained a major addition with the verbal commitment of Mizuki Hirai, a world junior record holder and Olympic finalist, for the 2025-26 season. Hirai, hailing from Japan, holds the World Junior record in the 100m butterfly with a time of 56.33 seconds.
She will join the Lady Vols’ Class of 2029 alongside Nicole Zettel, Mere Whelehan, Avery Luedke, and Lilly Robertson.
Expressing her excitement, Hirai stated, “I am super excited to announce my verbal commitment to swim and study at the University of Tennessee!! I am incredibly thankful for the support of my family, coaches, and friends. Go Vols!”
Hirai set her World Junior record of 56.33 at the 62nd Kanagawa Prefectural HS Athletic Meet in Japan this June, surpassing Claire Curzan’s 2021 record of 56.43.
At the 2024 Paris Olympic Games, Hirai represented Japan and swam a 56.71 in the 100m butterfly prelims, earning a spot in the semifinals as the second-fastest qualifier. She advanced to the final, finishing seventh with a time of 57.19. Hirai also competed in the 4x100m medley relay and the mixed 4x100m medley relay for Japan, clocking a 56.27 split in the 100m fly during the women’s relay.
The Lady Vols secured second place at the 2024 SEC Championships. Hirai’s converted time of 49.48 in the 100-yard fly would have placed her second at the 2024 NCAA Championships.
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