Rivalry heats up: Kitajima weighs in on Hansen’s failure

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After Brendan Hansen failed last night to make the U.S. Olympic swimming team in the 200-meter breatstroke -- an event in which he held the world record up until a month ago -- Japanese rival and double Olympic champion Kosuke Kitajima had some analysis to offer today.

‘For a swimmer of his level it shouldn’t be that difficult to qualify,’ Kitajima said on his web site, the Associated Press reports. ‘He didn’t seem to set his goals and rise to the challenge just one month before the Olympics.’

Kitajima, of course, is the one who shattered the record a month ago, and Hansen hasn’t been the same since, as Lisa Dillman reported.

‘His timing was off,’ said Kitajima, who apparently watched the trials on TV. ‘He didn’t swim in his usual powerful style.’

Hansen finished fourth in 2 minutes, 11.37 seconds — nearly 3 seconds slower than his American record, which also stood as the world’s fastest time until Kitajima broke it June 7 with a 2:07.51.

Hansen secured a spot on the Olympic team in the 100 breaststroke and will face Kitajima in that event. AP also said that Kitajima plans no change in his Olympic Games strategy. It should be a well-watched 100-meter breaststroke come August.

-- Debbie Goffa

Top photo: Brendan Hansen at the end of the 200 breaststroke. Credit: Mark J. Terrill / Associated Press

Inset: Kosuke Kitajima when he set the world record last month. Credit: STR /AFP / Getty Images

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