The Japanese swimming federation has granted a reprieve to one of the biggest swimming stars in their country’s history, as Kosuke Kitajima will be given the chance to swim the 100 breaststroke at the 2013 World Championships.
In this race, which begins in the very first session on Sunday (with finals on Tuesday), Kitajima didn’t hit the mandated qualifying time at Japan’s National Championship/qualifying meet, and the Japanese declared him a ‘relay only’ swimmer for Worlds.
When start lists were released earlier today, though, Kitajima was on them as the #5 seed, based on his Olympic performance from last year. He will join his much-younger teammate Akihiro Yamaguchi (WR holder in the 200 breast, and 9th seed in this 100) in the race.
Japan traditionally takes a very hard-line on these qualification rules, but they’ve granted a reprieve for their four-time Olympic, three-time World Champion Kitajima.
The Japanese Swimming Federation is gonna feel silly doing this for Kitajima after he goes slow in that 100 breast.
Why would they?
Kitajima was already on the team, why not let him swim the 100, it doesn’t disadvantage any other swimmer anyway.
On the subject of Japanese breaststroke, why is Yamaguchi entered with a seemingly arbitrary 2:08 in the 200? It’s neither his fastest time in the past year nor his nationals time.
Who are you referring to?
So what is the point of a qualifying standard that keeps out the 5th fastest time in the world?
He was 5th fastest last year, not this year.