Happy Birthday to our 2023 Honoree Kosuke Kitajima!!
There was a lapse after the war and it took many years for them to regain the power they once had. In 1972 Nobutaka Taguchi won gold in the 100-meter breaststroke and Mayumi Aoki won gold in the 100-meter butterfly. Taguchi also won bronze in the 200 breaststroke, but it was very sporatic before and after that point.
But after Daichi Suzuki won the gold medal in the 100-meter backstroke, in 1988 in Seoul, South Korea, it once again gave the Japanese hope and slowly things started to change. After Suzuki’s victory, the world start seeing more Japanese in the Olympic Games. Suzuki is now the President of the Japanese Swimming Federation, and Japanese names are now frequently in the finals of those Games. Names like Kusoke Kitajima. Kitajima specialized in the breaststroke. In his first Olympic Games in 2004, he captured gold medals in the 100- and 200-meter breaststroke and then took bronze, swimming the breaststroke leg of the 4 x 100 medley relay representing his homeland. During the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing, he did an exact repeat of the 2004 Games, winning the gold medal in the 100 and 200m breaststroke, while also breaking the world record in the 100, in a time of 58.91. By winning back-to-back medals in 2004 and 2008, Kitajima became the first and only swimmer ever to sweep the breaststroke at consecutive Olympic Games. He and his team also won the bronze again in 2008 in the medley relay, and again in 2012, Kitajima and the relay team bettered it in London by winning silver. In the end, Kitajima won four gold, one silver and two bronze medals in Olympic competition.
Kitajima’s most significant rival was American and ISHOF Honoree, Brendan Hansen. The two men dueled it out at all the major events, such as the FINA World Championships and the Olympic Games. Kitajima set world records in both the 100 and 200m breaststroke, finishing his career by breaking seven world records. In all, Kitajima has competed in six (long course) World Championships. At the 2013 World Championships, he won bronze in the medley relay, extending his national record to 12, three gold, four silver and five bronze. He is a 16-time medalist at the FINA World Cup events, winning four gold, nine silver and three bronze.
Purchase tickets to see Kitajima live in person here https://www.ticketmaster.com/event/0D005EF4B8CBCE3D
Happy Birthday to our 2023 Honoree Kirsty Coventry!!
by: John Lohn
Kirsty Coventry first competed at the 2000 Olympic Games as a teenager, and although she failed to advance to any finals, the experience was valuable and allowed the girl from Zimbabwe to get an up-close view of elite racing. Continuing to hone her skills, she made a major decision, to attend Auburn University, an NCAA powerhouse.
Behind her work at Auburn, Coventry elevated her status on the international stage and made her second Olympics, in 2004 in Athens, a successful appearance. Coventry collected a full set of medals in that Olympiad, claiming gold in the 200-meter backstroke, silver in the 100 backstroke and bronze in the 200 I.M.
She was even more impressive at the next year’s World Championships in Montreal, where she became one of the few athletes in history to win four individual medals at a single Worlds. In addition to winning titles in the 100 and 200-meter backstroke, Coventry was the silver medalist in the 200 and 400 I.M. Her win in the 100 backstroke arrived over world-record holder Natalie Coughlin, one of the few defeats the American endured between back-to-back Olympic crowns in 2004 and 2008.
Coventry added two medals at the 2007 World Championships and in early 2008, she set her first world record, breaking a 16-year-old standard in the 200-meter backstroke.
At the 2008 Olympic Games, Coventry won four medals. In her first three events in Beijing, Kirsty earned silver medals in the 400 IM, 100 backstroke and 200 IM She broke through in her fourth event, winning gold in the 200 backstroke in world-record time.
A year later, Coventry won a silver medal at the World Championships in the 400 IM and secured another world title in the 200 backstroke, where she lowered her world record. Coventry also competed at the 2012 and 2016 Olympic Games, bringing her total number of Olympic appearances to five.
Overall, she won seven Olympic medals and eight medals at the World Championships, all from
individual events and was a five-time world-record setter.
Beyond her success in the pool, Coventry has been a member of the International Committee for more than a decade, helping to ensure positive experiences for athletes. She has also served in roles with World Aquatics and the World Anti-Doping Agency.
Kirsty Coventry will be remembered for her multi-event talent and enduring legacy as a major factor in international competition.
Happy Birthday Tom Dolan!!
Tom Dolan (USA)
Honor Swimmer (2006)
FOR THE RECORD: 1996 OLYMPIC GAMES: gold (400m I.M.), 7th (200m I.M.); 2000 OLYMPIC GAMES: gold (400m I.M.), silver (200m I.M.); TWO WORLD RECORDS: 400m I.M; 1994 WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS: gold (400m I.M.), 8th (400m freestyle); 1998 WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS: gold (400m I.M.), 5th (800m freestyle); 1993 PAN PACIFIC CHAMPIONSHIPS: silver (400m I.M.); 1995 PAN PACIFIC CHAMPIONSHIPS: gold (400m, 200m I.M.), silver (200m backstroke, 800m freestyle), 5th (400m freestyle); 14 U.S. NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS: 400 freestyle (3), 800 freestyle (4), 1500 freestyle (1), 200 I.M. (2), 400 I.M. (4); NINE NCAA NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS: 400 I.M. (2), 500 freestyle (2), 1650 free (2), 800 freestyle relay (3); FIVE AMERICAN RECORDS.
Tom Dolan of Curl-Burke Swim Club and the University of Michigan held the 400m I.M. World Record longer than any other swimmer in history, eight years, and that includes Hall of Famers Gary Hall, Sr., Tamas Darnyi, Alex Baumann, Jesse Vassallo, Charlie Hickcox, Dick Roth and Ted Stickles. He is only the second swimmer to win successive 400m I.M. Olympic gold medals (1996, 2000), along with Hungary’s Darnyi. Tom also won the Olympic 200m I.M. silver medal in Sydney.
At 6’6″ tall and with 3% body fat, Tom was diagnosed with Exercise Induced Asthma and a 20% windpipe obstruction, which would side-line the normal person. Tom only trained harder and exhaustion, dizziness and occasional blackouts never stopped him from swimming. Coached by Rick Curl and Jon Urbancheck, Tom also set two world records, won two gold medals in World Championship swimming, won nine NCAA National Championships and 14 U.S. National Championships.
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So many great items to choose from. Travel, entertainment, restaurants, sports memorabilia and not just swimming! Artwork, trips, hotel stays, wines, there’s something for every one! Plan ahead now for the Holidays or buy something for that special someone while helping ISHOF, your Hall of Fame! Bid now and Bid often!
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The ISHOF 58th Annual Induction is just around the corner…….
58th Annual Induction CeremonyIt is that time of year again where the International Swimming Hall of Fame (ISHOF) Inducts it’s new class of honorees! This year our Induction Ceremony will be held on Saturday, September 30, 2023, at the Parker (Playhouse) in Fort Lauderdale.
Tickets are now on sale on Ticketmaster. To purchase tickets, click on this link. https://www.ticketmaster.com/event/0D005EF4B8CBCE3D
This year’s honorees include aquatics legends such as Michael Phelps, Bob Bowman, Missy Franklin, Kirsty Coventry and 9 more individuals who excelled in aquatic sports. Come join us for what is to be a once in a lifetime opportunity to mingle with these aquatic legends.
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It’s Throwback Thursday Featuring Cesar Cielo!!
by JOHN LOHN – EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
07 September 2023, 04:29am
Throwback Thursday: When Cesar Cielo Captured Olympic Gold and the Emotional Aftermath (Video)
Later this month, Cesar Cielo will be inducted into the International Swimming Hall of Fame, a celebration of his sprint prowess. As we count down the days to that evening in Fort Lauderdale, this installment of Throwback Thursday revisits the Brazilian’s gold-medal performance in the 50-meter freestyle at the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing.
Hall of Fame Ceremony and Ticketing Information
The easy part was the race, as crazy as that suggestion sounds. From experience, Cesar Cielo knew exactly what he needed to do to claim an Olympic title. Nail the start. Execute the breakout. Stay strong through the finish. Over and over, Cielo and coach Brett Hawke reviewed the finer details of the 50 freestyle.
So, as Cielo stepped onto the starting block for the final of the one-lap sprint at the Water Cube, the 21-year-old was awash in confidence. In peak form, Cielo eased through the preliminary round as the second-fastest performer, and then delivered the top mark of the semifinals. At that point, a little more than 21 seconds separated Cielo from completing a dream that only a few athletes realize.
Blazing a time of 21.30, Cielo comfortably mined gold. The Brazilian’s mark handed him a decisive triumph over silver medalist Amaury Leveaux of France, who touched in 21.45, and bronze medalist Alain Bernard, whose performance of 21.49 gave France two athletes on the podium.
A standout at Auburn University, Cielo advanced to the final of the 50 freestyle at the 2007 World Championships in Melbourne, finishing sixth. That showing proved Cielo belonged with the elite sprinters in the sport, and he was able to take his dominance in the American collegiate ranks and turn it into Olympic gold.
“I did it. It was my best race ever,” Cielo said in Beijing. “Today was my lucky day. The sun shone on me. I’m so overwhelmed with emotion. I gave up a lot for this medal. I never saw my family.”
The difficult part of the evening, in the most endearing way, was Cielo’s battle with his post-race emotions. As he stood on the podium and watched the Brazilian flag rise to the rafters as his nation’s anthem played, Cielo was overjoyed. He, too, was overcome, with tears streaming down his cheeks and sobs jolting his body.
Cognizant of the moment, the fans inside the venue rallied around Cielo. Some clapped. Some cheered. All provided support. Earlier in the evening, Cielo wowed those in attendance with a brilliant outing, and now the fans were going to applaud his talent and pay him back by carrying the Brazilian through the medals ceremony.
When Cielo is inducted into the Hall of Fame in a few weeks, perhaps his acceptance speech will be filled with emotion. It may not. Regardless, he will always have that spectacular evening in Beijing.
https://youtube.com/watch?v=k8X5rpX8CQ8%3Fversion%3D3%26rel%3D1%26showsearch%3D0%26showinfo%3D1%26iv_load_policy%3D1%26fs%3D1%26hl%3Den-US%26autohide%3D2%26wmode%3Dtransparent
Happy Birthday Jon Erikson!!
Jon Erikson (USA)
Honor Open Water Swimmer (2014)
OR THE RECORD: 11 ENGLISH CHANNEL CROSSINGS: four singles, two doubles, and one triple, 1969, youngest person; LAC ST. JEAN (Canada) 25 MILE CROSSING, seven times; the LA TOQUE (Canada) 24 HOUR TEAM-OF-TWO RELAY, five times; the MAR DEL PLATA (Argentina) 25 MILE MARATHON, two times; the SANTA FE-CORONADO (Argentina) 40 MILE RIVER MILE MARATHON, two times; GUAYMAS (Mexico) 42 MILE MARATHON; MARATHON DU SAGUENAY (Canada) 28 MILE MARATHON, two times; HAMILTON (Canada) LAKE ONTARIO 10 MILER; LAVAL (Canada) LAKE ONTARIO 10 MILER; CHICAGO (USA) FESTIVAL LAKE MICHIGAN 10 MILER, four times; CHICOUTIMI (Canada) 16 MILE RIVER SWIM, two times; PASPEBIAC (Canada) 14 MILE BAY CHALEUR CROSSING, three times; and the PEPSI-CHALLENGE LAKE ONTARIO CROSSING of 32 MILES.
As his father Ted was getting interested in open water swimming, he took his son to swimming lessons with Chicago Park District’s Ridge Park program. The boy’s rapid progression led him to follow in his father’s wake as a great marathon swimmer.
Unlike most athletes, Jon Erikson started at the top. His first marathon swim was the crossing of the English Channel at the age of 14. He emerged on the shores of France, as the youngest boy to complete a successful crossing on August 12, 1969. His first crossing of the channel took 11 hours and 22 minutes.
After his initial channel swim, Jon swam a record 37 mile Lake Michigan, Chicago to Michigan City, on August 21, 1971, in 25 hours, 22 minutes, which was 12 hours under his Dad’s swim, 10 years earlier.
In 1975, Jon swam a world record English Channel double crossing on August 13-15 (England-France-England) in 30 hours, 3 minutes, again under the mark his father set 10 years earlier. In 1976, Jon made the inaugural crossing Grand Anse to Paspebiac (Canada’s Chaleur Bay), 14 miles of 53 degree water in 8 hours, 46 minutes. In 1977, he did a double crossing of Chaleur Bay, 30 miles on August 13, in 16 hours and 4 minutes.
Jon says his ‘dream of accomplishing a major athletic challenge, something that had never been done before by another human being, made the culmination of all his years of swimming worthwhile and uniquely meaningful.” That dream was realized in 1981, when he became the first person to complete a three-way crossing of the English Channel with a time of 38 hours, 27 minutes. On this historic event, he was accompanied by his father, Ted Erikson and his trainer, Rosemary George.
Once he had met his goal of completing the English Channel triple, he retired. It was his 31st marathon swim; nothing else would ever compare to that feeling he had, knowing he was the first person ever to complete a triple crossing.
Happy Birthday to Eldon Godfrey!!
Eldon Godfrey (CAN)
Honor Contributor (2012)
FOR THE RECORD: FINA HONORARY LIFE MEMBER: 2009 – present; FINA BUREAU MEMBER: 1996 – 2009; UNION AMERICANA DE NATACION (UANA): President (2007-2011), Vice President (1995-1999), Secretary Treasurer (2003-2007), FINA TECHNICAL DIVING COMMITTEE: 1980-1996: Member (1980-1984), Honorary Secretary (1984-1988), Vice Chairman (1988-1996); PRESIDENT CANADIAN AMATEUR DIVING ASSOCIATION: President (1976-1980); AQUATIC FEDERATION OF CANADA: President (1980-1982), Member (1980-1996); 1978 WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS CHEF DE MISSION FOR CANADA; DIVING JUDGE AND REFEREE AT OLYMPIC, WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP AND OTHER INTERNATIONAL COMPETITIONS; INTERNATIONAL CLINICIAN.
When this former high school football coach’s daughter, Allison, began competitive diving in 1973, Eldon Godfrey switched allegiance to a whole new sport, and rose to the highest levels of volunteerism. With his organizational skills and insight, within three short years, he was elected president of the Canadian Amateur Diving Association and two years later the Aquatic Federation of Canada on whose committee he remained for 16 years, serving as Canada’s Chef de Mission for the Third FINA World Championships in Berlin.
Extending from national to international participation, Eldon served in every office of the Amateur Swimming Union of the Americas, now known as Union Americana de Natacion. In 2011, he was named Honorary Life President and presented with the R. Max Ritter Award for contributing to the advancement, understanding and good will among nations.
In 1980, he was appointed to the FINA Technical Diving Committee, and served as a Member, and as the Honorary Secretary and Vice Chairman for 16 years. For 13 years, he was elected a member of the FINA Bureau, serving as liaison to the Technical Diving Committee responsible for decision making policies as they affect FINA. He is now a FINA Honorary Life Member.
Eldon has been a regional and international judge and referee at four Olympic Games, four World Championships, eight World Cups, three Pan American Games and other international events. He has received the FINA Gold Pin, Canadian Sports Award, Alberta Achievement Award and the Calgary Booster Club Award. He has never failed to recognize that it all started in Calgary, at the grass roots level, and he continues to judge diving at the local level.
Together with his wife Carlie Jean, they have received Canada’s Irene McDonald Award for Volunteerism to Diving, for over 40 years of service.
GET YOUR TICKETS NOW!! ISHOF’s 58th Annual Honoree Induction Ceremony ~ September 30th ~ Don’t miss the GREATEST Aquatic SHOW in HISTORY!!!
58th Annual Induction CeremonyIt is that time of year again where the International Swimming Hall of Fame (ISHOF) Inducts new honorees! This year our Induction Ceremony will be held on Saturday, September 30, 2023, at the Parker (Playhouse) in Fort Lauderdale.
Tickets are now on sale on Ticketmaster. To purchase tickets, click on this link. https://www.ticketmaster.com/event/0D005EF4B8CBCE3D
This year’s honorees include aquatics legends such as Michael Phelps, Bob Bowman, Missy Franklin, Kirsty Coventry and 9 more individuals who excelled in aquatic sports. Come join us for what is to be a once in a lifetime opportunity to mingle with these aquatic legends.
for more information on the event:
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The International Swimming Hall of Fame 2023 Honoree Induction Weekend Silent Auction is now open!
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Happy Birthday Ian Crocker!!
Ian Crocker (USA)
Honor Swimmer (2017)
FOR THE RECORD: 2000 OLYMPIC GAMES: gold (4x100m medley); 2004 OLYMPIC GAMES: gold (4x100m medley), silver (100m butterfly), bronze (4x100m freestyle); 2008 OLYMPIC GAMES: gold (4x100m medley); TWO LONG COURS and THREE SHORT COURSE WORLD RECORD: (50 & 100m butterfly, 100m freestyle); 2001 WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS (LC): silver (100m butterfly; 2003 WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS (LC): gold (100m butterfly, 4x100m medley), silver (50m butterfly); 2004 WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS (SC): gold (50m butterfly, 100m butterfly, 4x100m medley, 4x100m freestyle); 2005 WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS (LC): gold (100m butterfly, 4x100m medley), silver (50m butterfly); 2007 WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS (LC): silver (50m butterfly,100m butterfly); 2002 PAN PACIFIC CHAMPIONSHIPS: gold (100m butterfly); 2004 PAN PACIFIC CHAMPIONSHIPS: gold (100m butterfly, 4x100m medley)
When 17-year old Ian Crocker entered the 2000 US Olympic Trials, it was with a view to gain experience for 2004, but he left the meet winning the 100m butterfly. Then, at the Olympic Games in Sydney, he won a gold medal as a member of the USA’s world record breaking 4x100m medley relay team.
After graduating from high school, he left Maine to swim for Eddie Reese at the University of Texas and won the NCAA title in the 100yd butterfly as a freshman. He was America’s top flyer and won a silver medal at the 2001 FINA World Championships. At the 2002 Phillips Nationals in Fort Lauderdale, 17-year old Michael Phelps rallied in the final yards to beat him and claim his American record of the 100m butterfly. Thus began an incredible rivalry that would last through the Beijing Olympic Games.
At the 2003 FINA World Championships, Crocker won the 100m butterfly, beating Phelps and becoming the first in history to break 51 seconds. He beat Phelps and bettered his world record again at the 2004 Olympic Trials while also finishing second behind Jason Lezak in the 100m freestyle.
Before their race in Athens, it was clear that Ian had not been feeling well or swimming well. In fact, he arrived at the Olympic village with a sore throat. He performed poorly in the 100m freestyle and freestyle relay and as he was starting to feel better, Phelps took the gold with a brilliant touch at the wall to beat him in the 100m butterfly, which knocked him off the relay, one that he had been a part of since 2000. In a magnanimous gesture of grace and sportsmanship, Michael Phelps gave his medley spot to Crocker. “He wasn’t feeling too well,” said Phelps. “He deserved another shot.” The gesture brought Crocker to near tears and he didn’t disappoint, splitting a world best time of 50.28 seconds, to help his team win gold and set a new world record.
In 2005, Phelps had backed off a bit on training, while Crocker was wholly focused on the FINA World Championships. In the much anticipated rematch, Crocker took the lead and never looked back, finishing a full body length ahead of the field and breaking his world record by more than three tenths of a second.
At the 2008 Beijing Olmpic Games, despite not earning a medal in his signature event, Crocker swam in the prelims of the USA’s 4×100m medley relay and received his third Olympic relay gold medal.
Ian Crocker retired after the Beijing Games with 21 medals in major international competition, spanning three Olympics and four FINA World Championships. He is one of the only swimmers in history to win the same event – the 100yd butterfly – all four years of college. History will remember him as one of the greatest butterflyers, a man who held onto the 100m butterfly world record for six years.