Kensuke, Kaito reset age group records

Two Tsunami Swimming Center Saipan swimmers shattered age group records during the 2009 Saipan Swim Club International Invitational Meet held over the weekend at the Kan Pacific Swimming Pool in Marpi.

Kensuke Kimura competed in the open division, but his time of 5:35.70 seconds in the 400m individual medley eclipsed the boys’ 11-12 age group record.

Kimura crushed the five-year mark of previous record-holder Rezne Wong, who timed in at 5:51.18 on April 4, 2004.

Tsunami Saipan coach and Kensuke’s father, Hiro, said his son’s time surpassed the US four As time standard (5:36.29)

A four As time is the highest level in the National Age Group Times progressions. It represents a level equal to 97 percent of the National Top 16 Reportable Time. NRT or T16 times represent a level that a swimmer must surpass to submit his/her name for consideration on the annual Top 16 list, which contains the annual rankings in the long and short course and is published in Swimming World magazine.

“This impressive time is a result of all the efforts he puts into our training sessions. We practice seven times a week and since August, Kensuke never missed a practice,” Hiro said.

“He joined the open division, racing against Rezne and Kai [Staal], not to win a high point award, but to challenge his competitors and himself and break records,” the Tsunami Saipan coach added.

Kaito Yanai also made it to the books last weekend after setting a new mark in the boys’ 9-10 age group 100m butterfly event. The Garapan Elementary School student clocked 1:28.68, passing the 16-year record of Dean Palacios (1:28.89/March 12, 1993).

Yanai’s record received a double A time in the US standard time list. A double A time is equivalent to 89 percent of the NRT.

Hiro said Yanai is only nine years old and the former is confident that the latter can break a couple of records this year and next year.

“He will be able to break the 50m butterfly record before his 11th birthday,” Hiro said.

Meanwhile, Hiro was proud of the performance of all Tsunami Saipan swimmers.

‘Everyone practiced hard for this meet and they did their best in every race,” said Hiro, adding that Tsunami Saipan’s next tournament will be in Guam in May.

“We expect to have a strong showing in the Guam Championships,” he said.