Swimming: Costly slip rules Hagino out of world championships

Japan's Hagino Kosuke (in white) gets a hug from South Korea's Park Tae Hwan at the 17th Asian Games held in Incheon, South Korea, on September 21, 2014. PHOTO: ST FILE

TOKYO (REUTERS) - Japan's Olympic bronze medallist Kosuke Hagino has been ruled out of the world swimming championships in Russia after slipping on his way to training and fracturing his elbow, Kyodo News reported on Friday.

The 20-year-old suffered the injury in France where he was preparing for the Kazan meet, which starts on July 24.

He was flown back to Tokyo where doctors confirmed the extent of the injury.

"This is even more regrettable because my form had been getting better," Hagino told reporters. "I'm very sorry for all those who supported me."

Hagino won bronze in the 400 metres individual medley at the 2012 London Olympics and was among the favourites to win the event in Russia having taken silver two years ago.

Hagino's absence is another blow to the event, which will miss Olympic champion Yannick Agnel (illness), Michael Phelps (suspension) and Park Tae Hwan (doping ban) among others.

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