Standing tall

Swimming Technique, Jul-Sep 2003 by Odeven, Ed, Mochizuki, Hideki

Up next: Kitajima will compete in the world's most prestigious meet held in a non-Olympic year: the FINA World Championships, which will take place in July in Barcelona.

Kudos to Kitajima

For his exemplary efforts, Kitajima has certainly received his fair share of awards. He received Samsung's MVP (Most Valuable Performer) Award as the finest athlete at the 2002 Busan Asian Games. The other finalists: Zhang Nan, China (women's gymnastics); Wu Peng, China (men's swimming); Makhld Al Otaibi, Saudi Arabia (men's athletics); and Lee Bong-Ju, Korea (men's marathon).

"I am excited," Kitajima says of the honor bestowed upon him at the Asian Games. "Competitive swimming isn't very popular in Japan, so getting a world record will hopefully bring more attention to our sport."

Other awards made 2002 an unforgettable year for Kitajima, who turns 21 in September. Asahi Shimbum and Daily Yomiuri and other Japanese newspapers named Kitajima the nation's athlete of the year.

And he's certain to receive more. Why?

"Being tall or big is not the most important reason (why Kitajima has become a standout swimmer)," says Hirai. "Good technique is the most important reason, and Kosuke's is one of the best."

Sample Workouts

TYPICAL WEEKLY SCHEDULE MORNING SESSIONS

(Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Saturdays and Sundays)

7 to 7:30 a.m. Stretching and exercising of core muscle groups, which includes the use of a balance board.

7:30 to 9:30 a.m. Long course swimming (5,500 to 6,000 meters of freestyle and individual medley.

(Mondays and Thursdays)

8 to 10:30 a.m. Weight training (bench press, squat, lat pull-down, snatch and clean-and-jerk).

10:30 to noon. Long course swimming (2,000 to 3,000 meters of sprints).

AFTERNOON SESSIONS

(Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Saturdays and Sundays)

4:15 to 5 p.m. Stretching.

EVENING SESSIONS

(Tuesdays and Saturdays)

5 to 7 p.m. Long course swimming (aerobic emphasis: 5,000 to 5,500 meters of freestyle, IM and breaststroke).

(Wednesdays and Sundays)

5 to 7 p.m. Long course swimming (anaerobic emphasis: 5,000 to 5,500 meters of only breaststroke).

Ed Odeven is a sportswriter for the Arizona Daily Sun in Flagstaff.