Kosuke Kitajima and the Dolphin Kicks That Changed Breaststroke Forever
Kosuke Kitajima is perhaps the most dominant Olympic male breaststroke swimmer of the modern era, having won both the and breaststrokes in both and Kitajima was the first man to ever break the second barrier in the breaststroke when he swam a to win gold at the Beijing Olympics.
Kitajima&#;s quadruple-gold status is legendary, though his first-ever Olympic gold, won in the final of the breaststroke at the Athens Olympics, caused division among swimmers, coaches, and officials. After the dive and after the turn, Kitajima noticeably undulates during the underwater pullout phases of the race, which in was not legal in breaststroke.
Today it&#;s common knowledge that swimmers are allowed one dolphin kick during the underwater phase of breaststroke, and I&#;d make the argument that Kitajima and the officials at the Athens Olympics that chose not to disqualify him in the final of the breaststroke are who we have to thank for this rule.
For many years, swimmers were only allowed one pull and one breaststroke kick&#;while a slight undulation might be forgiven by officials, if it is even noticed, a true dolph
Kosuke Kitajima
Typically, debates rage over who is the greatest athlete in a particular stroke. When it comes to the men’s breaststroke events, there is no question. Japan’s Kosuke Kitajima has a firm handle on all-time great status, his career defined by unmatched breaststroke success at the Olympic Games and accolades earned at numerous other stops.
Kitajima announced his presence to the swimming world at the Olympic Games in Sydney, where the year-old upstart narrowly missed a medal in the breaststroke with a fourth-place finish. The effort, though, was an indicator of big things to come, and at the World Championships, Kitajima was on a global podium with a bronze medal in the breaststroke.
Racing at the Asian Games, Kitajima erased one of the longest-standing world records in the sport when he took down Mike Barrowman’s year-old standard in the breaststroke. Posting a time of , Kitajima became the first man to break in the event. The next summer, he maintained that momentum by claiming gold medals in the breaststroke and breaststroke at the World Championships, both events won in world-record time.
Known for rising to the occasion on the bigg
Kosuke Kitajima
北島康介。アテネ・北京両オリンピック金メダリスト。
Kosuke Kitajima. Multiple Olympic gold medalist at the Athens and Beijing Olympics.
年アテネオリンピックではm・m平泳ぎで金メダルを獲得。
年北京オリンピックでも両種目で金メダルを獲得し、日本人唯一となる2種目2連覇を達成。年ロンドンオリンピックでは、4xmメドレーリレーで銀メダルを獲得するなどオリンピックを始めとした多くの国際大会で活躍。年4月のオリンピック選考会で競技活動を引退。引退後は、東京都水泳協会の会長を務め、自身の冠大会「KOSUKE KITAJIMA CUP」を開催。また、年からはインターナショナル・スイミング・リーグ（ISL）のTokyo Frog Kingsのゼネラルマネージャーを務めている。
Kitajima won gold medals for the men's m & m breaststroke at the Athens Olympics in In , he won gold medals for both events again at the Beijing Olympics and became the first swimmer to win both events at two consecutive Olympic games. He has since been successful at many international competitions including the London Olympics in winning a silver medal for the men’s 4x m medley relay. In April , he retired from competitive swimming after Olympic trials. In addition to his duty as CEO of IMPRINT, Kitajima currently serves as President of the Tokyo Swimming Association where he has been organizing the Kosuke Kitajima Cup. He also acts as General Manager of the Tokyo Frog Kings, a professional team part of the International Swimming League, since
泳ぐ、を考える。北島康介の現在
（文 井上英樹）
人はどれほど限界に挑戦できるのか。水泳の北島康介選手は、そんな人類の可能性を見せてくれる希有なアスリートの1人だ。アメリカ合衆国アリゾナ州北部に位置するフラッグスタッフで高地トレーニングを続ける北島選手に、トレーニングや水泳に対する思いを聞いた。
アリゾナ州フラッグスタッフの標高はメートルを超える。「体に負荷のかかる高地トレーニングは生きるか死ぬか。どれだけ可能性があるかトライしたい」と、４月に行われる日本選手権への思いを熱く語る。日本選手権で２位以内に入れば、５大会連続となるリオデジャネイロオリンピックへの出場も見えてくる。「これまでの水泳人生を振りかえると、なにが印象に残っているか」と問うと、北島選手は栄光よりもトレーニングのつらさをあげた。
「振り返ってみると、オリンピックで金メダルを目指している時は、毎日の練習が本当にきつかった。僕たちアスリートは、それを乗り越えていく。だけど、なんでこんなにきつい練習をやっているんだろう？って、やっぱり思うんですよね。練習は華やかな世界とはまったく別の場所。単調ですし、正直言って『本当に意味あるのかな……』と思うことだってある。だけど、たくさんの人が自分のために動いてくれている。手を抜くことは決してできない。それでも、練習での感覚と試合結果が一致している時はいいんですよ。一致しない時は、……本当につらいですよね」
そのつらさをどう克服していくのだろうかと質問を投げかけると、「克服はしないんです」と、意外な答えが返ってきた。
トップアスリートとして、強いメンタルをもつために
「無理に克服しても、またそこにつらさが乗っかってくる。だから僕はつらさを受け入れて、『つらい！』『きつい！』と声に出す。それでも、本当につらい時は1度休んで『なんのためにこの練習をやっているんだろう』と、きちんと考える。本当につらすぎると、逃げ出してしまう。だから、時には逃げないための休みも必要だと思います。……でも、休ませてくれないのが水泳の世界なんですけどね」
コーチ、スタッフ、家族、仲間、スポンサー。今や北島選手を多くの人が支えている。北島選手は多くの人々の期待をバネに世界で活躍をしてきた。水泳で世界を目指すようになったのも、中学生時代のコーチの『オリンピックに行きたいか？』という言葉だった。
「オリンピックの舞台を見せてくれたのがコーチの言葉でした。その時はコーチの言っている意味がわからなくて、『オリンピックって、……なにを言っているんだろう』って思ったんですよ（笑）。だけど、そう思い、僕の背中を押してくれるのはコーチだけではなかった。家族や仲間、応援してくれる人たちが自分に期待してくれた。自分がオリンピックに出場して活躍で
Biographies you may also like
Vj anusha biography of martin Anusha Dandekar is an Indian-Australian VJ, actress, and singer. She is popularly known for hosting many TV shows. Beginning her career as a TV anchor and VJ, she .
Jose ramos horta biography of martin José Ramos-Horta is a prominent East Timorese political figure, born on December 26, , in Dili, Timor-Leste. He is a key advocate for the country's independence and served as both the Missing: martin.
Frederick ii of prussia biography of martin He is of Preussen, or Prussia Proper, this Kalkstein;—of the same kindred as that mutinous Kalkstein, whom we once heard of, who was "rolled in a carpet," and kidnapped out Missing: martin.
Il disprezzo brigitte bardot biography Torna in sala e nella sua versione integrale Il Disprezzo (Le Mepris) di Godard con Brigitte Bardot e Michel Piccoli tratto da un romanzo di Moravia. Il film fece scalpore quando Missing: biography.
Perla batalla biography of abraham Perla was born in L.A. to an immigrant family immersed in music. Her Afro-Mexican dad was a mariachi singer, while her Argentine mom ran the family record shop called Discoteca Batalla. Missing: abraham.
Merel poloway biography of albert Merel Poloway, a former dancer and actress, is famous for her marriage to the late Puerto Rican actor Raúl Juliá, a prominent figure in Hollywood. Her life and accomplishments Missing: albert.
Alistair brownlee triathlon Alistair Brownlee has announced his retirement from triathlon after a glittering year career gilded by two Olympic gold medals and a host of major titles.