Japan Long Course Nationals: Masayuki Kishida Breaks Longstanding National Record

TOKYO, Japan, April 14. MASAYUKI Kishida gave the Japan long course nationals its second national record in as many days, scorching the 50 free final to make him the third-fastest performer in the event this year.

Kishida, who trains in the United States at Tucson Ford Aquatics, won the 50 free in 22.11, breaking the record of 22.18 set at the 2001 world championships by Tomohiro Yamanoi. The time is just behind Ashley Callus' 22.09 and Fred Bousquet's world-leading 21.95, both swum in March. The swim marks a major leap for Kishida, who had never been ranked in the top 25 in the world in this event.

Women's 200 breast semifinal
Satomi Suzuki posted the fastest time in the semifinals with a 2:26.42. Rie Kaneto, the national record holder in the event, was the second qualifier with a 2:27.06. Nanaka Tamura rounded out the top three qualifiers with a 2:27.99.

Men's 200 breast semifinal
Ryo Tateishi, the winner of the 50 breast on the opening night, took the top spot for the final with a 2:11.09. Naoya Tomita and Yuuta Suenaga qualified second and third with matching 2:11s. National record holder and two-time Olympic champion in this event, Kosuke Kitajima, qualified fourth with a 2:12.05.

Women's 100 back semifinal
Aya Terakawa almost became the fourth woman to break the one-minute barrier this year in the event, topping all qualifiers in the semifinal with a 1:00.03. That puts her within a second of the national record of 59.14, held by Shiho Sakai. Sakai qualified second for the final with a 1:00.62 and Miyuki Takemura was third with a 1:01.19.

Men's 100 back semifinal
Two of the greatest backstrokers currently in action will battle in the 100 back final tomorrow. Ryosuke Irie, the national record holder in this event, took the top spot after semis with a 53.35. Junya Koga, the 2009 world champion in this event, qualified second with a 53.60. Masafumi Yamaguchi rounded out the top three qualifiers with a 54.87.

Women's 50 free final
Yayoi Matsumoto won the first final of the night with a 25.52 in the splash and dash. Haruka Ueda took the silver in 25.69 and Tomoko Hagiwara was third with a 25.88

Men's 50 free final
Kishida's national record highlighted a fast 50 free final. Makoto Itou was second in 22.44, with Takuya Kobayashi rounding out the podium with a 22.67.

Women's 50 fly final
Yuka Kato almost gave the crowd its second national record of the night with a 26.37 victory, just short of her own mark of 26.34 set in 2008. Misaki Agou was a distant second with a 27.06 and Kaho Nagai was third in 27.26.

Men's 50 fly final
Ryo Takayasu chased his own national record of 23.45 in the 50 fly, but could only manage a 23.88 in Wednesday's final. Kohei Kawamoto was a close second in 23.99 and Takashi Tomiyama was third in 24.17.

Women's 200 IM final
Izumi Kato used strong butterfly and breaststroke legs to win the 200 IM in 2:13.36, well ahead of Miho Takahasi, who took second in 2:14.61. Emi Takabatake rounded out the podium with a 2:14.74. Notably, national record holder Tomoyo Fukuda was fifth with a 2:15.33.

Men's 200 IM final
National record holder Ken Takakuwa was the 200 IM champion with a 1:58.42, followed by Yuya Horihata at 1:59.35 and Takuro Fujii with a 1:59.96.

Subscribe
Notify of
guest

Welcome to our community. We invite you to join our discussion. Our community guidelines are simple: be respectful and constructive, keep on topic, and support your fellow commenters. Commenting signifies that you agree to our Terms of Use

0 Comments
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments
0
Would love your thoughts, please comment.x
()
x