Kensuke breaks yet another age group record

Tsunami Swimming Center Saipan 12-year-old wunderkind, Kensuke Kimura, broke yet another CNMI age group record last weekend during the 2008 SSC Summer Classic at the Kan Pacific Swimming Pool.

Kimura broke the age group record in the 1500m freestyle by finishing the long course in 19:43.27, obliterating the 21:00.03 set by Robert Jordan back in 1993.

Tsunami Saipan head coach Hiro Kimura, who also is Kensuke’s father, was very proud of the accomplishment.

“Kensuke broke an old record that no one has been able to break the past 15 years. He also broke another CNMI age group record that was set by Keoni Ichihara in 1996 just two months ago,” he said.

Coach Kimura said in addition to resetting the 1500m freestyle, Kimura’s 800m lap in the 1500m freestyle was faster than CNMI 800m freestyle age group record set by Joshua Taitano in 1994.

“If he will try to swim the 800m freestyle, he will be able to break it for certain. We are looking forward to seeing another of his record-breaking shows again,” he said.

The younger Kimura, who now has nine age group records to his name, said breaking the 1500m freestyle record wouldn’t have been possible without the help of teammates, family, and friends.

“I want to say thank you to my teammates here and in Guam who have been practicing so hard with me everyday. I would also like thank to my family. A lot of Tsunami Saipan parents also encourage and support me. A special thank you also go out to Tsunami Guam head coach Toshi Iijima,” he said.

Kimura recently returned from three weeks of hard training in Guam. He flew to the U.S. territory last month to join Tsunami Guam practices for its swimmers who will be taking part in the 2008 Junior Olympics in Tokyo, Japan.

Kimura and the Tsunami Guam Junior Olympic team practiced two times a day at both the Leo Palace Resort and Onward Beach Resort swimming pools, which contributed immensely to his performance in the 2008 SSC Summer Classic.

Aside from Kensuke, 13 other members of Tsunami Saipan took part in the weekend meet organized by the Saipan Swim Club.

Rezne Wong, Shin Kimura, Marystar Welch, Kaito Yanai, Daisuke Fitial, Ashley and Salofi Welch, Daniel Camacho, Thea Minor, Angel de Jesus, Angel Marie Tan, Edward Minami, and Hiroto Yanai competed at the Marpi pool and their swims will be published in the Saipan Tribune in the coming days.