 Golden repeat
By Ken Marantz (China Daily)
Updated: 2008-08-12 08:52  Japan's Kosuke Kitajima became the first swimmer in history to win consecutive Olympic gold medals in the men's 100m breaststroke. He won yesterday's final at the Water Cube in a world record time of 58.91 seconds. It bettered the 59.13 set by American Brendan Hansen in August 2006. Kitajima had set the mark in 2003 before Hansen first broke it a year later. After seeing his time posted on the scoreboard, Kitajima thrust his fists in the air, reminiscent of his exuberant celebrations in Athens.
Norway's Alexander Dale Oen, who had been fastest in the qualifying rounds, finished second in 59.20, with France's Hugues Duboscq third in 59.37. Hansen, who was second at the turn, had to settle for fourth in 59.57. The event was expected to be a showdown between Kitajima and Hansen, who had not been defeated since losing to Kitajima in Athens and had the fastest time of the year coming into Beijing. But it was Oen who was the swimmer to beat after setting consecutive Olympic records in the preliminary round and semifinals. Oen had a 0.12 second lead coming off the turn, but Kitajima turned on the style on the home stretch to touch first. Daily Yomiuri  (China Daily 08/12/2008 page8) |
