SWIMMING/ Teenager Yamaguchi sets world record in 200 breaststroke

September 16, 2012

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

Japanese teenager Akihiro Yamaguchi set a world record in the 200-meter breaststroke on Sept. 15 at a national swimming meet, nearly breaking the 2 minutes, 7 seconds barrier.

The 18-year-old Yamaguchi clocked 2:07.01 at the event in Gifu to shave 0.27 seconds off the mark set by Hungary's Daniel Gyurta when he won gold at the London Olympics.

Yamaguchi was left off the Japanese Olympic team after finishing behind four-time gold medalist Kosuke Kitajima in the national trials. Kitajima failed to win an individual medal in London, but now looks to have found a natural successor in the breaststroke events.

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
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Akihiro Yamaguchi set a world record in the 200-meter breaststroke on Sept. 15 at a national swimming meet held in Gifu Prefecture. (The Asahi Shimbun)

Akihiro Yamaguchi set a world record in the 200-meter breaststroke on Sept. 15 at a national swimming meet held in Gifu Prefecture. (The Asahi Shimbun)

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  • Akihiro Yamaguchi set a world record in the 200-meter breaststroke on Sept. 15 at a national swimming meet held in Gifu Prefecture. (The Asahi Shimbun)