Katsumi Nakamura’s Japanese Sprint Records Have Trickle Down Effect

Russia Morozov

Meet Results

Two notable freestyle records went down through 3 days of Japan’s Junior Olympic Cup (SCM) taking place in Tokyo this week. Perhaps inspired by senior national record holder Katsumi Nakamura’s recent historic LCM performances earlier this year, teenager Yusuke Suda crushed a new age group record for men’s 15-16 in the 50m freestyle.

Clocking 22.41 in the morning, Suda already took over the previous age mark of 22.58, but he doubled down to do even more damage at night. Slamming the wall for the win in finals, Suda produced a big time of 22.19 to lower his newly-minted mark. Prior to this meet, Suda’s pervious personal best rested at the 22.86 notched back in November.

In terms of the ‘high school’ classification, Masahiro Kawane also made his move, touching in 21.71 to re-write that group’s 50m freestyle record. Kawane fired off a speedy 21.71 for the win over his peers in the only sub-22 second effort.

Although still in the junior ranks, both Suda and Kawane are indicative of the trend in Japanese freestyle as of late, which is one on an upward trajectory. The aforementioned Olympian, Nakamura, set both the 50 LCM and 100 LCM freestyle national records in February of this year, clocking 21.87 in the former and 47.87 in the latter.

Nakamura’s results remain as the #2 and #1 top times in the world so far this season.

2017-2018 LCM MEN 50 FREE

2Bruno
FRATUS
BRA21.3504/21
3Andrea
VERGANI
ITA21.3708/08
4Kristian
GKOLOMEEV
GRE21.4408/09
4Vladimir
MOROZOV
RUS21.4408/08
View Top 46»

2017-2018 LCM MEN 100 FREE

2Katsumi
NAKAMURA
JPN47.8702/18
3Alessandro
MIRESSI
ITA47.9208/12
3Zetao
NING
CHN47.9209/01
5Pedro Henrique
SILVA SPAJARI
BRA47.9504/19
View Top 27»

The nation’s Pan Pacific Championsihps qualifying meet, the Japan Swim, kicks-off on Tuesday, April 3rd. Below is Sudau’s tweet displaying his excitement over his swim tonight.

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Mt Raining Rainier
5 years ago

I looked at the results. This competition is in SCM. It is hard as we are the only one probably doing SCY. Our LCM season is very short, but most of international competition time standards are in LCM and SCM. I wonder where we would be if we practice and compete in meters all year around.

luigi
5 years ago

How can 21.87 be the national record if the younger guy just went 21.71?

luigi
Reply to  Retta Race
5 years ago

Of course. Sorry, Loretta. Should have known.

Dan
5 years ago

How much of this comes back to their National team technical analyst Magnus Kjellberg (used to hold the same position for the Swedish National team)?
http://swimpractice.com/swim-technique/magnus-kjellberg-what-japan-excels-at/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bxl8s-74r8o
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kArnn5axTkk

Human Ambition
Reply to  Dan
5 years ago

Some! He is The best on this planet.

About Retta Race

Retta Race

Former Masters swimmer and coach Loretta (Retta) thrives on a non-stop but productive schedule. Nowadays, that includes having just earned her MBA while working full-time in IT while owning French 75 Boutique while also providing swimming insight for BBC.

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