Kitajima sets sights on 2016 Rio Games

Japan's four-time Olympic swimming champion Kosuke Kitajima, who missed out on an individual medal at the London Games, says he is keen to line up at the poolside in Rio de Janeiro in 2016.

"While younger swimmers are coming up, I want to go to Rio, too," Kitajima, 30, told a party held in Tokyo on Thursday in honor of Japanese swimmers who collected a record 11 medals in London, according to local media.

Kitajima, who took gold in the 100- and 200-meter breaststroke at the 2004 Athens and 2008 Beijing Olympics, finished fifth in the 100m and fourth in the 200m in London, but bagged a silver as a member of Japan's 4x100 medley relay.

In London, Japan got three silvers and eight bronzes but no gold in swimming.

After Kitajima's failure, 18-year-old Akihiro Yamaguchi set a new 200 breaststroke world record on September 15, vowing to become his successor.

At Japan's national games, the high school student clocked 2 minutes, 7.01 seconds, breaking the previous world mark of 2:07.28 set by Daniel Gyurta of Hungary on Aug. 1 at the London Olympics.

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Hansen outraces Kitajima again

Atlanta — Kosuke Kitajima tasted a second consecutive defeat to old rival Brendan Hansen at the U.S. Winter Nationals on Saturday, the two-time double Olympic champion finishing well back in fourth place in the men's 200 meters breaststroke.

Kitajima posted a time of 2 minutes, 12.59 seconds finishing nearly three seconds behind Hansen, who completed a breaststroke double with a winning time of 2:09.64 at Georgia Tech Aquatic Center.

Eric Shanteau was second while his American compatriot Elliot Keefer placed third.

"I haven't trained enough," said Kitajima, who kept up with Hansen before losing ground over the final 50 meters. "I was a bit concerned about what kind of race I could have but I think I gave it my all in an event which is doubling up as training for me."

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Tomita stuns Kitajima in qualifier

HAMAMATSU, Shizuoka Pref. (Kyodo) Naoya Tomita on Monday stunned reigning Olympic champion Kosuke Kitajima to win the men's 200 meters breaststroke on the final day of a qualifying meet for this summer's world championships in Shanghai.

Tomita wrecked Kitajima's hopes of a double after Saturday's triumph in the 100, powering home in 2 minutes, 08.25 seconds to top the qualifying standard set by the Japan Swimming Federation and secure a berth at the July 16-31 worlds.

Kitajima clocked 2:09.26 for second place, while Kazuki Otsuka was in third in 2:09.94.

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