Men’s 100m Breaststroke: Kitajima takes gold in world record

(BEIJING, August 11) -- Kitajima Kosuke of Japan defended his Olympic title in the Men's 100m Breaststroke in fine style on Monday, August 11, breaking Brendan Hansen's (USA) world record in a time of 58.91.

Norway's Alexander Dale Oen won the silver medal in a time of 59.20. Oen swam consistently fast through heats and semifinals and went into the final the fastest qualifier after setting an Olympic record of 59.16 in the semifinals.

Kitajima defends his Olympic title. (Photo credit: Xinhua)

Hugues Duboscq of France collected the bronze in a time of 59.37, relegating one of the event favorites, Brendan Hansen (USA) to fourth.

Hansen, the world record holder coming into the event, looked sluggish through the heats and semifinals. His fourth place time was 59.57.

Hansen only had one individual race to contest at these Games, after failing to qualify for the 200m Breaststroke at US Olympic trials in July.