Kosuke Kitajima Returns to Action

By Hideki Mochizuki, Swimming World Japanese correspondent

TOKYO, Japan, November 20. KOSUKE Kitajima returned to competition today at the Tokyo Swimming Center, where he first entered the sport at 5 years old. Kitajima completed the 100 breast with a victory in 1:01.91 as part of a long course meter competition. His preliminary effort was a 1:02.22.

The meet is Kitajima's first long course competition in more than a year, as he has been experiencing life in Los Angeles, Calif., since April and has been swimming with the Trojan Swim Club since June.

"It is a relief," Kitajima told a group of Japanese reporters. "Still, my body remembered the touch and feel of the water from the Beijing Olympics, which was the best outcome for me today."

Kitajima would not comment on a potential run at the 2012 London Olympics, but did state that he aims to return as a national team member at the Japanese National Championships next spring.

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