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Kimura, Staal to compete in Japan
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Posted on Mar 13 2009
Tsunami Swimming Center Saipan’s Kai Staal and Kensuke Kimura left for Tokyo, Japan yesterday afternoon to participate in a sprint tournament at the Tatsumi International Swimming Stadium.
The two Tsunami Saipan swimmers are among the 3,455 participants in the tournament that will start today and will run until tomorrow. Besides Tsunami Saipan, 102 more teams are participating in the two-day meet, which will be held at the same venue that hosted the Japan Open.
Rezne Wong and Shin Kimura competed in the Japan Open last month and this weekend it will be Staal and Kensuke’s turn to run the show at the world-class facility.
Tsunami Saipan coach Hiro Kimura will leave with Staal and Kensuke and has high hopes for the two swimmers.
“In the Japan Open last month, Tsunami Saipan swimmers wanted to gain experience. This time in the sprint tournament, they are aiming to make the finals or win a medal,” Hiro said.
He added this weekend’s tournament will be Staal’s first and last in the Japan sprint, which is for 15-and-under swimmers. Staal is turning 16 years old next year.
“This will be his first and only chance to show a good performance in the age group tournament. This tournament is one of the largest swim meets in the world for junior swimmers. I hope Kai will win here because the events here are his favorites,” Hiro said.
Staal will be competing in the 50m freestyle, 50m breaststroke, and 100m individual medley.
Kensuke is on his second stint in the Japan sprint tournament after placing 20th among 100 swimmers in the 100m IM last year, and this time Hiro is expecting his son to advance to the finals.
“Kensuke is only 12 years old and still has several chances to compete in this tournament. But of course, we want him to have a better showing this year, possibly to make it to the finals,” Hiro said.
Kensuke will also join the 100m IM, 50m freestyle, and the 50m breaststroke in the 11-12 age group.
