SWIMMING.

Waikato Times, Volume 102, Issue 17220, 1 October 1927, Page 20 (Supplement)

SWIMMING.

WORLD’S RECORDS SMASHED. MARVELLOUS WEISSMULLER. ASTOUNDING TIMES ESTABLISHED. Johnny Weissmuller, champion sprint swimmer of the world, is smashing more records. Competing at the National Outdoor Swimming Championships at the War Memorial Pool, Honolulu, towards the end of August, he reduced the world’s 100 metres record of 59sec by 4-ssecs, and the following night did 58sec dead. Then, a day later, Weissmuller, sprinting all the way in the 440 yards, recorded the sensational time of 4min 52sec, or 2-ssec better than Arne Borg’s record, believed to have been impregnable. An equally remarkable performance was that of George Kojac, a New York schoolboy, who, after having finished ahead of Takaishi (Japan) in the “100,” and second only to Weissmuller, came out next night and spun off the furlong (back stroke) in 2min 36 sec, or 5 3-ssec faster than Hosie’s record.

Several Japanese champions competed at this carnival, including Katsuo Takaishi, the noted sprinter who visited Australia; N. Arai, distance champion of Japan; Y. Tsuruta, breast stroke; and Z. Kimura, back stroke.

The Century Final.

Five great swimmers contested the century final —Weissmuller, Kojac, Takaishi, Johnny Woodd, and Walter Spence. Weismuller assumed the lead at the crack, as is usual with him, and he held it, although he was challenged all the way for the first 90 metres by Woodd. Then Woodd seemed to slow up, and Takaishi overhauled him, followed by Kojac, a head behind. The New York boy, Kojac, opened up with only a few yards to go, and flashed in ahead of the Japanese ace, te wrest away second place. Takaishi was a stroke ahead of Woodd; and Walter Spence, who had been in the battle all the way, was a creditable fifth. 4 It .was probably the closest 100 metres championship that Weissmuller was ever engaged in, and it was the closest that he has been, to defeat in many seasons. But Weissmuller still is the champion. . TakaishPs Prals®. Takaishi, according to Honolulu newspapers, has nothing but praise for the two Americans who defeated him. Despite his defeat, Takaishi swam the best 100 metres of his life, for he was officially credited with 58 4-ssec. His best effort previously had been 59 2-ssec.

“Johnny Weissmuller is the greatest swimmer in the world,” Takaishi said after the race. “He stands in a class hy himself . His powerful and beautiful swimming strokes are beyond imitation. What a beautiful co-ordina-tion of arm and leg motion I I believe

Weismuller attains his remarkable speed through the medium of his long, powerful, smooth strokes. I’m going to try to emulate them. “George Kojac,” he continued, “is the probable successor to the invincible Weissmuller. He is .well-built, and has lots of speed. Considering his youth and the room for improvement, it may not be a wild surmise to say that he may surpass Weissmuller within the next few years." Dr. Francois D’Eliscu, referee of the championships, commenting upon Takaishi’s performance, said: “It is evident that Takaishi did his very best, and was satisfied at the outcome. Weissmuller beat Kojac in the final by two yards, and Takaishi was only a foot further behind.

“The only handicap Takaishi suffers,” he added, “is his physical limitation. He is hardly more than sft 6in tall, and, consequently, his capabilities are limited, but he still has room for improvement.”

New 440 Yards Figures. Weissmuller’s performance in the 440 yards was magnificent. And not only did Weissmuller smash Borg’s world’s record, but two others in the same race clocked under the five minutes.

Weissmuller was clocked at 4.52, Crabbe at 4.58, and Glancy at 4.58 1-5. Clearly Weissmuller was out for a record. It was a dead sprint from the crack of the gun, Weissmuller leading and gaining with every stroke, and Crabbe, Giancy, and Takaishi emulating his example to the best of their capabilities. The intermediate times are of great interest. Weissmuller tore off the 110 yards in 65sec, and the 220 in 2.19 4-5. lie did the second furlong in 2.32 1-5, finishing up with a 72 for the last lap. He bettered his 1926 time, when he won the “quarter” title, by 23 4-ssec. Like “Boy” Chariton. At the same carnival, “Buster” Crabbe, Hawaiian born and raised, won the mile swim, and thus won for Hawaii her first national title since 1924, when Warren Kealoha led the field home in the 100-metres back stroke. Crabbe swam a sensational race, and finished in time just six seconds short of the world’s record. ' The manner of Crabbe’s victory aroused the admiration of some oil the world’s greatest critics. Bill Bachrach, coach of the American Olympic swimmers of 1924, said that Crabbe was the greatest miler that America had ever produced. And he went further, saying that Crabbe was America’s best bet for the 1928 Games. Another critic says that Crabbe has a’ wonderful splashless stroke, that closely resembles that of “Boy” Charlton. The . 16-year-old Billy Newport swam a great race in the mile. Though Harry Glancy, of Pennsylvania, and N. Aral (Japan) beat him for places, he was not far behind Japan greatest miler for fourth place.

Other Records. U.S.A. also carried off the relay honours, Weissmuller, Glancy, Laufer, and Kojac defeating Japan and Hawaii in the first “International” relay held outside Olympic Games, and bettering all previous times by nearly 20sec. In the first lap of this event Weissmuller smashed his own 220yds record by two seconds, finishing in 2.13 3-5. On the sarao night, Walter Spence broke the world’s 300-metres medley record, lowering the figures from 4.19 2-5 to 4.14 3-5. Mariechen Wehseiau also lowered by l-ssec Martha Norelius’ American record for women over 220yds, going the distance in 2.40 2-5.