Japan's Kosuke Kitajima set an Olympic record to ease into the semifinals of the men's 100-meter breaststroke on Saturday, the opening day of swimming competition at the Athens Games.
Kitajima clocked the fastest time of 1 minute, 0.03 seconds -- just 0.25 off his Japanese record -- among the eight heats at Olympic Aquatic Center, making an ideal start in his bid to win an Olympic gold medal and reclaim the world record from American rival Brendan Hansen.
Hansen, who broke Kitajima's 100 and 200 breaststroke world records at the U.S. trials last month, was second overall in 1:00.25 with fellow American Mark Gangloff third in 1:00.81.