Miki Uchida was the star of Japan’s Intercollegiate Championships today, breaking a national record in the 50 free that was nearly as old as she is.
Uchida went 25.02 in the 50 to win and break the 13-year-old mark set by Sumika Minamoto at 25.14. Uchida is just 19 years old herself, and is an Olympic veteran, having swum on Japan’s 400 free relay in London. She’s now got a shot to move that national mark into the 24-second range at the Asian Games, happening in South Korea later this month.
The men’s version of the sprint event went to Katsumi Nakamura in 22.36.
Some other notable swims from Friday’s action:
Tada Kuninori put up a big 200 back, adding his name to an event where the Japanese are already strong. His 1:56.86 would have ranked him in the top 15 in our World Rankings for the 2013-2014 season (which officially ended with August), and puts him as the third-fastest Japanese man this year.
The men’s 200 fly was a great race, with Masato Sakai nipping Kenta Hirai by a few tenths at the wall, 1:55.50 to 1:55.91. Meanwhile Yai Watanabe won the women’s race in 2:09.56.
Kosuke Hagino made an appearance, leading off his team’s 400 free relay with a 48.75. His relay only took fifth, but that time is just a few tenths off the national record, something Hagino might now go for at the Asian Games in a few weeks.
Japanese freestyle is finally making progress.
For 2 years it’s clear.
They needed it.
Very important for their medley relays.
There are some very impressive splits from the 4×100 men’s relay. I can see (off a relay start) people swimming 48.27, 48.45 and a whole host of 49s. Good news for Japan’s sprinting.