Jay Litherland is an accomplished American competition swimmer renowned for his prowess in the individual medley events, particularly the grueling 400-meter individual medley.
Born on August 24, 1995, in Osaka, Japan, Litherland holds triple citizenship in Japan, New Zealand, and the United States, reflecting his multicultural heritage.
His father, Andrew Litherland, hails from Auckland, New Zealand, and worked as a chef in Japan at the time of his sons’ birth, while his mother, Chizuko Nakamura Litherland, is a native of Japan.
The family relocated multiple times during the boys’ early years, living in places like Dubai, New Zealand, California, and Florida, before settling in Johns Creek, Georgia, where Jay grew up speaking Japanese at home and immersing himself in American culture.
Litherland became a U.S. citizen during high school, allowing him to represent the United States on the international stage.
Siblings
Jay has identical triplet brothers, Kevin and Mick, born just minutes apart in Osaka on the same day in 1995—Kevin first, followed by Mick, and Jay last.
The trio, whose full names are Kevin Ryo, Mick Satoshi, and Jay Yutaka Litherland, grew up inseparable, sharing a room well into their teens even after moving to a larger house and training side by side in backyard pools and competitive clubs.
Like Jay, both brothers pursued swimming with intensity, joining the Dynamo Swim Club in Georgia and later competing for the University of Georgia Bulldogs under coach Jack Bauerle.
Kevin, the eldest by a mere minute, specialized in freestyle and individual medley, qualifying for events like the World University Games and serving on the U.S. National Junior Team; he once considered quitting after college nationals but persevered to chase Olympic dreams for New Zealand before shifting focus to supporting Jay.
Mick, the middle brother, also excelled in swimming through college but retired after the NCAA Championships in 2019, opting instead to explore life beyond the pool while remaining a steadfast cheerleader for his siblings.
The brothers’ shared journey included a poignant moment at the 2016 U.S. Olympic Trials, where Kevin and Mick rushed the pool deck to embrace Jay after his qualifying swim.
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Career
Litherland’s swimming career took root early, starting at age eight in Georgia after the family’s relocation, where he quickly distinguished himself at Chattahoochee High School as an All-American swimmer.
He committed to the University of Georgia, majoring in business, and swam for the Bulldogs from 2014 to 2018, posting standout collegiate performances that included multiple NCAA bronze medals and rankings among the program’s all-time greats in events like the 200 backstroke and 400 individual medley.
His international breakthrough came in 2014 at the Junior World Championships, followed by a gold medal in the 400-meter individual medley at the 2015 FISU World University Games in Gwangju, South Korea.
The 2016 U.S. Olympic Trials marked a turning point: representing the U.S. due to prior international commitments, Litherland stunned the field by surging past Ryan Lochte in the final 100 meters to claim second place in the 400 IM, securing his spot on the Rio Olympic team—while his brothers pursued qualification for New Zealand.
In Rio, he finished fifth in the event, gaining invaluable experience alongside idols like Michael Phelps.
Litherland’s professional trajectory accelerated post-college, joining the International Swimming League’s DC Trident and training under legendary coach Bob Bowman in Arizona after a brief hiatus following Tokyo.
Key milestones include silver medals at the 2017 and 2019 World Aquatics Championships in the 400 IM, a second-place finish at the 2018 U.S. Nationals, and consistent top finishes in Pan Pacific and national meets.
His signature race strategy—conserving energy for a blistering final lap—has defined his elite status, and as of 2025, he continues to compete at the highest level, eyeing a third Olympic appearance in Los Angeles while balancing training with creative pursuits.
Accolades
Litherland’s crowning achievement arrived at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, where he captured silver in the men’s 400-meter individual medley with a time of 4:10.28, surging from fourth to second in the final 50 meters to edge out Scotland’s Duncan Scott and secure Team USA’s first medal of the Games—a moment made poetic by the race’s location in Japan, where he felt the “energy and power” of his cheering relatives in Osaka.
Earlier, at the 2016 Rio Olympics, he placed fifth in the same event with 4:11.68, marking his debut on the world’s biggest stage.
On the world championships circuit, Litherland earned silver in the 400 IM at Budapest in 2017 (4:09.31) and another silver in Gwangju in 2019, plus a bronze in the event at the 2022 edition in Budapest.
His junior accolades include bronze at the 2013 FINA World Junior Swimming Championships, while the 2015 Summer Universiade in Gwangju yielded gold in the 400 IM.
Domestically, he boasts seven U.S. national titles, multiple All-American honors from his Georgia days—where he ranked second all-time in the 200 backstroke and freestyle—and a spot on the 2018 Pan Pacific Championships team.
Litherland’s consistency shines in rankings: second at the 2016 and 2018 U.S. Nationals in the 400 IM, and top finishes in the 200 IM and freestyle relays.
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