Yamada Breaks Japanese Record in the 400m Free -- January 25, 2004

By Hideki Mochizuki

HYOGO, Japan, January 25. FOLLOWING yesterday's short course world record in the 800m freestyle (8:13.35), Sachiko Yamada today lowered her short course Japanese record in the 400m freestyle, clocking 4:01.04 on the second day of the Konami Sports Invitational in Hyogo, Japan. The time was less than two seconds off Lindsay Benko's world record in the event.

A delighted Yamada commented, "I have not had a personal best in this event in two years so I was shooting for it."

The previous record was 4:02.42 set by -- you guessed it -- Yamada in April 2002 at the Japanese Short Course Nationals.