Japanese Olympic Trials: Kosuke Kitajima Under a Minute Twice, Ayako Doi Sets National Record

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.

"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)

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