Lane 9 News Archive: Second Day of Japan Open Closes With Eight Japanese Records

Second Day of Japan Open Closes With Eight Japanese Records -- March 4, 2007

By Hideki Mochizuki

TOKYO, Japan, March 4. THE second day of the Japanese Short Course Nationals ended with eight Japanese records in the finals. Most of the records were posted by the national team members, generally showing that the national team's preparation for Melbourne is on track - although the team feels a bit tired just getting into final tapering period.

Double Olympic champion, Kosuke Kitajima swam the 50m breaststroke in 27.14 smashing his own old Japanese record marked in the World Cup in Berlin 2004.

"Like I said, my focus is to finish this meet with a good feeling inside me," Kitajima said. "The time is not so fast but a new personal best makes me feel relieved a bit. The touch and feel of water was also better than yesterday. Let me try one more shot in 200m."

As in his remarks, Kitajima was going out fast in the 200m splitting 28.33, 59.56, 1:31.88 and touching the pad with 2:04.96. He did not hide his joy right after the race slapping the water with his right hand.

"I have not been able to swim in my real fashion in a long time but I am catching something today," he said so after the race. "If I maintain a good taper, then I will be even better in Melbourne."

The first Japanese record today came in the men's 100m freestyle when Hisayoshi Sato went 48.51 smashing Daisuke Hosokawa's old record of 48.60. Sato, a sophomore at Nihon University, was a representative at the Montreal World Champs but failed to be selected for Melbourne this time.

"The next meet I have to focus on will be the Japan Nationals in April, and I will keep taking it step by step toward Beijing," he said.

Continuing winning streaks from yesterday, two backstroke specialists, Reiko Nakamura and Tomomi Morita, both marked the Japanese records in the women's and men's 100m backstroke today. Nakamura went 58.10 and Morita stopped the clock at 51.55. The same was also repeated in the women's and men's 100m butterfly when Yuka Kato clocked a 57.24 and Ryo Takayasu marked a 50.74.

Nanaka Tamura showed a good improvement in the women's 200m breaststroke becoming the first Japanese women breaking 2:20 barrier in short course. She went in 2:19.89 splitting 32.26, 1:07.49, 1:43.03. She missed being selected for the Melbourne team but she could be a good force for upcoming season.

Results: Japan Open

Subscribe to Swimming World Magazine Today and get Free Premium Access

Download The Current Issue of Swimming World Magazine

View All Premium Stories

Sponsored By:

Purchase a 30 Day Premium Membership for only $4.95