By Hideki Mochizuki, Swimming World Japanese Correspondent
TOKYO, Japan, April 15. THE Japanese Olympic Trials began today at the Tatsumi International Aquatic Center in Tokyo and will continue for the next six days.
Kosuke Kitajima cleared the one-minute mark twice during prelims and semifinals of the 100 breast. Kitajima went 59.87 in the morning heat, and 59.66 in semifinals turning in 28.24 at the 50-meter mark. During prelims, he went out in 28.19.
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"The first turn of a 28.24 was a little bit slow compared to the plan, but overall is not bad," Kitajima said. "Having three really fast races during the heat, semis and finals is one of my personal challenges here. So, in that perspective, I am feeling good for tomorrow's final."
Kitajima is rather infamous for having an injury or being out of condition during key competitions, but he is in good shape at this meet.
The first Japanese record came in the semifinal of the women's 100 fly. Ayako Doi touched in 58.59 to beat the old record of 58.62 set by Junko Onishi in 2004. Also, in the men's 100 back, Athens bronze medalist Tomomi Morita posted a solid 54.25 in the heat and went 54.48 in semis.
Takeshi Matsuda was the first Japanese swimmer to earn a spot on the Beijing roster, as he won the men's 400 free in 3:47.36.
"It felt really good to qualify for the team," Matsuda said. "I paid strong attention to the first 200 meters and tried to control my mental [game]."
Saori Haruguchi, this year's NCAA champion in the women's 200-yard butterfly, won the women's 400 IM in 4:38.94 to clear the Olympic standard.
"My strong points are in butterfly and backstroke, so I tried to go out fast," Haruguchi said. "I am looking forward to having a training period focused on the Games."
One surprise came in the women's 400 free as Ai Shibata won in 4:10.38, but came up short of the Olympic standard time of 4:08.43. Shibata was a gold medalist in the 800 free in Athens.
"I cannot say a word now," Shibata said. "I don't want to make any excuses. I just need to change my focus and reset for the 800 freestyle final."
In the men's 400 IM, Takahiro Mori won the event again with a 4:17.34, but did not beat the Olympic standard time of 4:16.86 and missed making the Beijing roster.
"It is a real pity," Mori said. "That is all I can say now."
Event Results
At the end of the first day of competition, the following swimmers have qualified for Beijing:
Men
Takeshi Matsuda: 400 freestyle (3:47.36)
Women
Saori Haruguchi: 400 IM (4:38.94)
Maiko Fujino: 400 IM (4:40.14)
Premium Members - Search More About: Kosuke Kitajima
Reaction Time Comments
April 15, 2008 Is Kitajima really "infamous" for having an injury or being out of condition at major competitions? By my count, he didn't qualify for the 2005 worlds for being out of shape and didn't perform at his best at the 2006 Pan Pacs, but if you look at the four most important competitions from 2003 to now (3 LC world champs and the 2004 Olympic Games) he's won 5 golds and 2 silvers in the 100 and 200 breast events, with the only miss being in the 2005 worlds 200.
Brendan Hansen, in comparison, has 3 gold, 2 silver, and 2 bronze at those same competitions in the 100 and 200 breast despite being the favourite at all except the 2003 worlds.
It seems that the US swimming media has given Kitajima a rough ride ever since the 2004 dolphin-kick controversy, which the rest of the world hasn't gone along with. I love the way Kitajima is ready to race at the big events, and his only excuse when he doesn't win is that he hasn't trained hard enough. The showdown in Beijing will be great! Submitted by: FatDrew
April 15, 2008 FatDrew!
I couldn't agree more! It seems like they can't leave Kosuke alone! I was in Melbourne last spring to watch Kosuke take the 200 breast because Brenden was sick. How is he "infamous" for being out of condition (or having an injury) during big meets? Does that mean Hansen is famous for being sick or not stepping up at the big meets?
2003 Worlds: Both breasts to Kitajima. 2004 Olympics: Both breasts to Kitajima. 2005 Worlds: Hansen gets 'em if I recall. 2007: 200 breast to Kitajima. I'm a fan of Brenden Hansen, but c'mon......
Go Kosuke! Go Tae Hwan! Submitted by: Hodori88
July 29, 2008 I disagree that Kosuke's comments are classless, he's saying that Brendan looked off form and that a guy with 2:08.5 talent should not have to stress too much to make a team when 2:10.2 makes the cut.
Maybe Kosuke read the SwimmingWorld article posted about him back in April that said the following:
"Kitajima is rather infamous for having an injury or being out of condition during key competitions"
Seems like the "rather infamous" comment may apply to another top-flight breaststroker instead of the guy whom Brendan will not name.
There was evidence of dolphin kicks in the 100 in Athens, but the 200 was clean as everyone was looking for it a few days later, and Kitajima came out on top in that one as well. Submitted by: FatDrew
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