Lane 9 News Archive: Breaking a Minute in 100 Breast a Special Accomplishment

Breaking a Minute in 100 Breast a Special Accomplishment -- August 15, 2007

CRANBURY, New Jersey, August 15. WHEN Roman Sloudnov became the first man to crack the one-minute barrier in the 100-meter breaststroke, going 59.97 and 59.94 in 2001, it figured he would be followed by several other athletes. But, more than six years later, only two other men have broken a minute: Brendan Hansen and Kosuke Kitajima.

Hansen, the world-record holder at 59.13, has accomplished the feat on 11 occasions, including twice at the recent United States National Championships. Meanwhile, Kitajima has turned the trick seven times, with his career-best mark sitting at 59.53. Yes, of the 20 sub-minute swims, Hansen and Kitajima have accounted for 18.

Here's a look at the sub-minute swims in the 100-meter breaststroke, efforts that should be appreciated more and more, particularly with the club holding such exclusive status.

100 Breaststroke (Sub-Minute Performances)
Name Country Site Date Time
Brendan Hansen USA Irvine, Calif. Aug. 1, 2006 59.13
Brendan Hansen USA Long Beach, Calif. July 8, 2004 59.30
Brendan Hansen USA Montreal July 25, 2005 59.37
Brendan Hansen USA Irvine, Calif. Aug. 2, 2005 59.51
Kosuke Kitajima Japan Montreal July 25, 2005 59.53
Brendan Hansen USA Indianapolis Aug. 3, 2007 59.59
Kosuke Kitajima Japan Montreal July 24, 2005 59.71
Brendan Hansen USA Montreal July 24, 2005 59.75
Kosuke Kitajima Japan Montreal July 24, 2005 59.78
Kosuke Kitajima Japan Barcelona July 21, 2003 59.78
Brendan Hansen USA Melbourne March 26, 2007 59.80
Brendan Hansen USA Montreal July 24, 2005 59.84
Brendan Hansen USA Irvine, Calif. Aug. 1, 2006 59.87
Brendan Hansen USA Victoria, Canada Aug. 18, 2006 59.90
Roman Sloudnov Russia Fukuoka, Japan July 24, 2001 59.94
Kosuke Kitajima Japan Melbourne March 26, 2007 59.96
Kosuke Kitajima Japan Melbourne March 25, 2007 59.96
Roman Sloudnov Russia Moscow June 29, 2001 59.97
Brendan Hansen USA Indianapolis Aug. 3, 2007 59.98
Kosuke Kitajima Japan Barcelona July 20, 2003 59.98

Brendan Hansen getting ready before breaking his own world record in the 100 breast at 2006 USA Swimming Nationals.

Photo By: Stephen J. Thomas

Kosuke Kitajima, winner of the 100 and 200 Breaststroke at WC Barcelona '03.

Photo By: Stephen J Thomas

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Reaction Time Comments

August 15, 2007 Why not include the people who have been under in relays? With the new, "Dolphin kick before a pull-down lets manipulate the system because FINA is too lazy to install cameras or do the right thing" rule, surely this list will expand in the next year. Hansen will, however, remain at the top.
Submitted by: Dave D

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