Shin looks forward to Japan Open stint

Tsunami Swimming Center Saipan’s Shin Kimura shares teammate Rezne Wong’s mindset as far as competing in the prestigious 50th Japan Swimming Championships is concerned.

“As Rezne said, we are definitely not at the same level as those who will compete in Japan so I will race against myself,” Kimura said.

Kimura and Wong are invited to participate in the Japan Open, which will feature medalists and finalists of the 2008 Beijing Olympics and 2008 FINA World Championships.

The two Tsunami Saipan swimmers will leave Saipan today with coach Hiro Kimura joining them in Tokyo.

Tsunami Saipan was invited to the Japan Open, which will be held at the Tokyo Tatsumi International Swimming Center in Tatsumi, Koto-ku, Tokyo on Feb. 21 and 22, after a notable showing in the 2009 Junior Pan Pacific Swimming Championships in Guam last month.

“I didn’t know that I was going to Japan Open when we were still in Guam. But Tsunami Guam head coach, Mr. Iijima, really encouraged me to go to this meet because it will be a great experience,” Shin said.

“It’s a great chance to compete against some Olympics swimmers, as not everyone gets an opportunity to swim with them,” he added.

Heading to his biggest tournament so far, Shin is keeping his feet on the ground.

“There is no chance for me to beat them [unless they get disqualified] because they are Olympic swimmers. But, I can win against myself and get my best time,” Shin said.

The 16-year-old swimmer will be competing in the 50m freestyle event, where his best time stands at 28.97 seconds.

“When I go to off-island swim meets and come back to Saipan, people always ask me the same question, ‘did you get gold medal?’ That’s not a bad thing to ask, but in my opinion, getting your best time is what swimming is all about,” Shin said.

“During races there are a lot of pain, but when you get out of the water and notice that you made a personal best time or CNMI record, you get this best feeling. Even though you feel like you’re about to die after the race, when your time dropped, all that exhaustion from the race goes away,” said Shin, who holds the CNMI 15-16 age group record in the 800m freestyle win.

Shin’s father and coach, Hiro, said the good things that are happening to his son is proof that the young swimmer has the ability to make waves in the pool.