NEW COMMIT: The University of Tennessee has received a new verbal commitment for the 2025-26 season and beyond from Mizuki Hirai from Japan. Hirai is the junior world record holder in the 100-meter butterfly with 56.33.

She will join Nicole Zettel, Just Whelehan, Avery Luedke And Lilly Robertson as a member of the Lady Vols Class of 2029.

She said of her commitment:

“I am so excited to announce my verbal commitment to swim and study at the University of Tennessee!! I am incredibly grateful for the support of my family, coaches and friends. Go Vols!”

Hirai’s junior world record of 56.33 was set at the 62nd Kanagawa Prefectural HS Athletic Meet in Japan in June. She broke Claire Curzan’s Mark of 56.43 reached in 2021.

Hirai represented Japan at the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris. She clocked a time of 56.71 in the 100-meter butterfly in the preliminary round, securing a place in the semifinals as the second fastest qualifier. Her time of 56.80 in the semifinals qualified her in seventh place. In the Olympic final, she finished seventh with a time of 57.19.

She also swam for Japan in the 4x100m medley relay and the mixed 4x100m medley relay. Her time in the women’s 4x100m medley relay was 56.27 for the 100m butterfly.

The Lady Vols finished second at the 2024 SEC Championships. Hirai’s best time (converted to yards) is 49.48, which would have earned her second place at the 2024 NCAA Championships.

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