Tomoru Honda Handed 21-Month Suspension, to Miss LA Olympics
Olympian Tomoru Honda was banned 21 months by the Japan Swimming Federation on Wednesday, ruling the 24-year-old out of the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles.
The discipline stems from a high-speed car crash that Honda was part of in November 2025 and delayed in reporting to the federation. He was indefinitely suspended in August on the eve of the Pan Pacific Championships. His suspension will last through August 2028, ruling him out of qualification for the Olympics that begin on July 14.
Honda was indicted in September on charges of dangerous driving causing injury. Prosecutors allege that he drove between 88 km/hour (54 miles per hour) and 108 kph (67 mph) in a 30kph (18 mph) zone. He collided with an oncoming vehicle, leading to injuries to its driver, a man in his 60s, that included a broken sternum.
Honda was handed a one-year suspended sentence in September, meaning he will not have to serve jail time if he goes the next three years without an infraction. He paid a fine of 1.5 million yen ($9,500) as well as formal apologies to the victim and a pledge not to drive again.
Japan Aquatics confirmed the sanction on its website, saying it came from the federation’s executive board and was based on its Federation Disposition Regulations Article 4. While Wednesday’s statement was brief, the federation has provided copious apologies for Honda’s conduct and in its standing as a public organization. It has vowed to increase education for its members and awareness aimed to “prevent a recurrence and restore trust.”
Honda turns 25 on Dec. 31. He won silver in the men’s 200 butterfly at the Tokyo Olympics in 2020. He was also the World Champion in the men’s 200 fly in Doha in 2024 to go with bronze medals in the event in 2022 and 2023. He finished 22nd in the 200 fly, his only event, at the Paris Olympics in 2024. The original suspension ruled him out of Pan Pacs and the Asian Games this year.
