TOKYO, Japan, February 16. ACCORDING to a story in the Japan Times, Kosuke Kitajima will bypass the Japanese Short Course Championships (Feb. 25-26) while recovering from an injury to his right elbow. Although not a major injury, Kitajima is in enough discomfort that he has opted to miss the meet at the Tokyo Tatsumi International Swimming Center.
The reigning Olympic champion in the 100 and 200 breaststroke events, Kitajima took silver at last summer’s World Championships in the 100 breast. The former world-record holder is expected to leave for a training camp in the United States on March 1. At the World Champs, Kitajima also picked up a bronze medal in the 50 breast.
"I could actually compete if I wanted to but it is not the main event for me," Kitajima said. “I have to focus my efforts on posting good times at the national championships (in April) and qualifying for the (2007) World Championships."