The Daily News of Open Water Swimming noticed a new face entered in the 10K race at the Pan Pacific Swimming Championships – Yumi Kida of Japan who placed eighth at the 2005 World Swimming Championships in the 1500-meter freestyles and recently won Japan Open Water Swimming National 10K Championships.
With Japan’s strength in the pool and its 2000+ year history with open water swimming, it seems appropriate that Japanese swimmers start making their mark at the international level.
A Japanese spokesman said, “We asked all our swimmers [here at the Pan Pacific Swimming Championships] who wanted to swim the 10K. Yumi raised her hand and is looking forward to competing.”
Copyright © 2010 by Steven Munatones