Kitajima Tunes Up for World Championships -- May 24, 2005
By Hideki Mochizuki
TOKYO, May 24. OVER the weekend, Kosuke Kitajima put together a pair of quality swims while competing at dual meet between Nihon University and Chuo University, held at the Tatsumi International Aquatic Center. Kitajima was invited to make a special appearance at the meet.
Kitajima contested two events, as he was timed in 1:00.80 for the 100-meter breaststroke and 28.09 for the 50-meter breaststroke. Kitajima will swim both events at July’s World Championships in Montreal. He is the defending world champ in the 100 and 200 distances, but failed to qualify for the 200 at last month’s Japanese Trials.
Last summer, Kitajima won three medals at the Athens Olympics. Aside from winning both breaststroke disciplines, he helped Japan to the bronze medal in the 400 medley relay. Kitajima owns the second-fastest times in history in the 100 and 200 breast events.
