FINE SWIMMING FEAT

Dominion, Volume 32, Issue 104, 26 January 1939, Page 13

FINE SWIMMING FEAT

Nakama Lowers Australian Record Kiyoshi Nakama, Hawaiian-Japanese swimmer, -who has consistently beaten his Australian rivals, broke the Australian 880 yards record recently when he won the State championship at North Sydney Olympic pool. His time was.2lsec. faster than he had ever swum before. Nakama beat Robin Biddulph (Manly) by three yards in 10.12 1-5. The previous • record was 10.22, established seven years ago by A. M. (Boy) Charlton. Biddulph, who swam brilliantly, recorded 10.16 2-s—easily the best of his career. Noel Ryan, a former Australian champion, was prominent early in the race, but lje failed badly toward the end. Hie time (10.49 2-5) was far below his best. During tlie course of liis swim Nakama also established a new Australian record for 550 yards.

His time, 6.18 1-5, compared with Ryan’s previous record of 6.24. Nakama's sectional times, with Biddulph’s in parentheses, were: 110 yards, 1.8 1-5 (1.11) ; 220 yards, 2.24 4-5 (2.28 1-5) ; 440 yards, 4.59 4-5 (5.6). Nakama went to the front from the start, and at the 220 yards mark he turned four yards ahead of Ryan, with • Buddulph a close third. Biddulph began to move forward soon afterward, aud at the 440 yards he was five yards behind Nakama, with Ryau a further two yards back. Ryan began to drop back, and the race resolved itself into a duel between Nakama and Biddulph. Biddulph made a great spurt at the 600 yards and almost caught his rival, but over the last 100 yards Nakama drew away to win by three yards. Near a World Record. Nakama's time was only 4 3-ssec. outside J. Flanagan’s world record. The diminutive Hawaiian was elated at his performance, which easily eclipses anything he has done before. He said it would put him right in the running for selection with the next American Olympic team. Harry Hay, Biddulph’s trainer, said Manly lad had 'swum to a schedule mapped out for him, but actually had broken the time-be set himself by nearly four seconds. “I hate to see Charlton’s record go, but I am pleased two such fine lads were the ones who broke it,” he said. Tile 110'yards State championship final was a disappointing race. The winner, J. Wiltshire, clocked 1.2 3-s—very Ordinary time.