OLYMPIC SWIMMING

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 21263, 17 August 1932, Page 16

OLYMPIC SWIMMING

PROGRESS OF JAPANESE | - | GREAT STRENGTH IN SPRINTING REMARKABLE BOY CHAMPION The American dominance in swimming, which has been a feature of the Olympic Games of 1920, 1924 and 1928, was almost obliterated last .week at Los Angeles by the Japanese. Only the weakness of her women representatives prevented Japan from gaining mastery, as in all the men's events except two America was forced into minor places. Since the Amsterdam Olympiad it was known that Japan, with the assistance of some of the leading American coaches and the former world's champion, Johnny Weissmuller, was preparing to achieve world supremacy in swimming. Encouraged by the lively interest of their countrymen, for swimming is the national summer sport of Japan, the swimmers have now succeeded in proving beyond argument that height and weight are not essentials in the development of speed. At Los Angeles the Japanese won live titles; at Amsterdam they won only one, which, incidentally, was their first. No other country has as bright, a in swimming as Japan. With one exception, Y. Tsuruta, who retained iiis brcaststroke title, none of her representatives at Los Angeles was older than 19 years, so that they are certain to make further improvement. The 14 years old schoolboy, Kitamura, made the greatest impression. It, is unlikely that in the whole athletic world there is any other youthful champion as remarkable. In beating his compatriot, Makino, aged 17, by 2ft. in the 1500 metres race, he registered the amazing time of 19m 12 2-ss, which bettered Arno Borg's Olympic record by 39 2-ss, as well as being only 5 l-5s slower than the world's record held by Borg and "'established when the famous Swede was at his best. Promise Fulfilled Myiazaki won the 100 metres title in 58 l-ss, only 4-5s outside Weissniuller'B world's record, while T. Kawaisbi secured second place. The fact that Takahashi was a third Japanese among six finalists illustrates Japan's great sprinting strength. Clarence Crabbe has fulfilled all the promise he showed as a youth of 18 at Amsterdam by winning the 400 metres title in 4m 48 2-ss, breaking Borg's recognised world's record by 1.95. However, the time, 4m 27 2-ss, made last year by the Frenchman, Taris, who was second to Crabbe, still awaits official recognition. Crabbe, who was the only American to win a men's swimming title, has proved himself a worthy successor to Weissmuller as the United States champion. It was Miss Helena Madison who did the most to uphold the prestige of the United States. In her latest swims she has surpassed her previous performances. For 100 metres she took 66 4-5s and for 400 metres 5m times that a year ago would have been considered to be beyond the power of a woman.

The five Australians justified their selection by qualifying to contest finals. Miss Claire Dennis' success in winning the 200 metres breaststroke title, at the same time lowering her own world's record, can be taken as the forerunner of a notable career. In the 100 metres backstroke race Miss Bonnie Mealing finished second and extended the winner, Miss Holm to such an extent that the American girl reduced the Australian's world record from 80 3-5s to 79 2-ss. To have risen from novrice ranks to world championship class within the space of seven months is the achievement of Miss Frances Bult, who finished fifth against strong opposition in the 100 metres freestyle event. She is, however, the fastest lady sprinter in the British Empire. Ryan Makes Amends Noel Ryan made amends for his failure in the 400 metres men's event by securing fourth place in the 1500 metres, thereby relieving to some extent the disappointment that would undoubtedly be felt in Australia consequent on Andrew Charlton's loss of form and convincing dofeat. Ryan's time, 19m 45 1-lOs, which is 6.7s better than Borg's 1928 winning record, was a meritorious performance, which goes to show that he is still the best distance man in the Empire. Charlton was unlucky to have influenza about a fortnight prior to the Games. Nevertheless, his elimination from the 1500 metres in the semi-final stage indicates that he' must now submit to the supremacy of more youthful rivals. SPORT OF CYCLING IMPROVEMENT IN STANDARD GOOD EFFORT BY GORDON There is every indication of keener competition than ever in the forthcoming road championship, as the general standard of the riding is improving each week. The outstanding performance last Saturday afternoon was that recorded by H. V. Gordon, who gained fastest and record time in the 15 miles senior event conducted by the Manukau Amateur Cycling Club. Gordon rode the distance in 41m 2s and reduced M. P. Byrnes' record, established three weeks previously, by 9 seconds. Gordon was riding in his first club race since becoming a senior member. The previous week in the Auckland Centre's race he also rode within C. Johnson's course record, when he completed the 40 miles Kumeu course in lh 58m 33s and, in addition, finished second. D. W. Lawson and L. Gerken, both off 6m, shared the pacing work throughout the 15 miles to finish first and second respectively. Both riders were making their initial acquaintance with the Avondale South circuit and each rode with freewheel equipment instead of the customary fixed racing gears. Racing for the second time in his career J. Brown, off 2m 30s, won the junior event by 50yds. from G, Wheelhouse, also off 2m 30s. J. R. Hall, scr, for the second successive race, scored time honours when lie rode the five miles in 14m 4s. Hall's prospects in the junior championship of 23 miles on September 3 are decidedly promising. The Auckland Club decided its A and B grade unpaced championships over a 25 miles course at To Atatu. The brothers, I. C. Laloli and R. Laloli, won their respective grade races. I. C. Laloli was in a class by himself in the A grade, his time of lh 6m 31s being 3m 20s better than that of C. Johnson, who was runnerup. Laloli was also successful in lowering by 54 seconds the old record which lie held. On the sealed handicap his brother was first with 9m allowance, while he filled second place. In the 8£ miles junior race the limit rider, C. Hassett, off 4m 10s, led all th« way to win easily, while* C. Melville, scr, gained time honours in 25m 10s. The first distance event was staged by the Takapuna Club over a 23£ miles course, extending from Lake Pupuke to Albany and back. A junior rider, A. Chaplin, off 16m, registered a surprise, performance by leading throughout and finishing 5m before B. Evans, who was second, off 6m. The club champion, V. S. Blomfield, scr, in finishing third gained fastest time in lh 14m 30s. Al! the fiVe amateur clubs will bo represented in the Takapuna Club's invitation 18y miles race next Saturday, when Blomfield will be his club's strongest representative*