CRANBURY, New Jersey, August 15. WHEN Roman Sloudnov became the first man to crack the one-minute barrier in the 100-meter breaststroke, going 59.97 and 59.94 in 2001, it figured he would be followed by several other athletes. But, more than six years later, only two other men have broken a minute: Brendan Hansen and Kosuke Kitajima.
Hansen, the world-record holder at 59.13, has accomplished the feat on 11 occasions, including twice at the recent United States National Championships. Meanwhile, Kitajima has turned the trick seven times, with his career-best mark sitting at 59.53. Yes, of the 20 sub-minute swims, Hansen and Kitajima have accounted for 18.
Here's a look at the sub-minute swims in the 100-meter breaststroke, efforts that should be appreciated more and more, particularly with the club holding such exclusive status.
100 Breaststroke (Sub-Minute Performances)
Name Country Site Date Time
Brendan Hansen USA Irvine, Calif. Aug. 1, 2006 59.13
Brendan Hansen USA Long Beach, Calif. July 8, 2004 59.30
Brendan Hansen USA Montreal July 25, 2005 59.37
Brendan Hansen USA Irvine, Calif. Aug. 2, 2005 59.51
Kosuke Kitajima Japan Montreal July 25, 2005 59.53
Brendan Hansen USA Indianapolis Aug. 3, 2007 59.59
Kosuke Kitajima Japan Montreal July 24, 2005 59.71
Brendan Hansen USA Montreal July 24, 2005 59.75
Kosuke Kitajima Japan Montreal July 24, 2005 59.78
Kosuke Kitajima Japan Barcelona July 21, 2003 59.78
Brendan Hansen USA Melbourne March 26, 2007 59.80
Brendan Hansen USA Montreal July 24, 2005 59.84
Brendan Hansen USA Irvine, Calif. Aug. 1, 2006 59.87
Brendan Hansen USA Victoria, Canada Aug. 18, 2006 59.90
Roman Sloudnov Russia Fukuoka, Japan July 24, 2001 59.94
Kosuke Kitajima Japan Melbourne March 26, 2007 59.96
Kosuke Kitajima Japan Melbourne March 25, 2007 59.96
Roman Sloudnov Russia Moscow June 29, 2001 59.97
Brendan Hansen USA Indianapolis Aug. 3, 2007 59.98
Kosuke Kitajima Japan Barcelona July 20, 2003 59.98
