(2)Matsuda sets Japan record in 1,500 freestyle

(2)Matsuda sets Japan record in 1,500 freestyle

TOKYO, Japan - Takeshi Matsuda is jubilant after rewriting a national record in the men's 1,500-meter freestyle at 15 minutes, 9.52 seconds in a qualifying race at the swimming national championships held at Tokyo Tatsumi International Swimming Center on April 22. The 19-year-old eclipsed the previous record of 15:14.43 set by Masato Hirano at the Sydney Olympics.

(1)Matsuda sets Japan record in 1,500 freestyle

(1)Matsuda sets Japan record in 1,500 freestyle

TOKYO, Japan - Takeshi Matsuda rewrote a national record in the men's 1,500-meter freestyle when he clocked 15 minutes, 9.52 seconds in a qualifying race at the swimming national championships held at Tokyo Tatsumi International Swimming Center on April 22. The 19-year-old eclipsed the previous record of 15:14.43 set by Masato Hirano at the Sydney Olympics.

Hirano sets national record in 1,500 freestyle, does not advance

Hirano sets national record in 1,500 freestyle, does not advance

SYDNEY, Australia - Masato Hirano sets a Japanese record in the men's 1,500-meter freestyle event at the Sydney Olympics on Sept. 22 with a time of 15:14.43, but finished 13th overall and did not qualify for the gold medal final.

Thai, Japanese swimmers pat on each other

Thai, Japanese swimmers pat on each other

Thai, Japanese swimmers pat on each other Sethsothorn Torlarp (L) of Thailand, who touched in a new Asian Games record of 3 minutes, 53.61 seconds to win gold in the men's 400-meter freestyle in Bangkok on Dec. 10, pats on Masato Hirano of Japan who finished 0.48 second behind.

(2)Matsuda sets Japan record in 1,500 freestyle

(2)Matsuda sets Japan record in 1,500 freestyle

TOKYO, Japan - Takeshi Matsuda is jubilant after rewriting a national record in the men's 1,500-meter freestyle at 15 minutes, 9.52 seconds in a qualifying race at the swimming national championships held at Tokyo Tatsumi International Swimming Center on April 22. The 19-year-old eclipsed the previous record of 15:14.43 set by Masato Hirano at the Sydney Olympics. (Kyodo)

(1)Matsuda sets Japan record in 1,500 freestyle

(1)Matsuda sets Japan record in 1,500 freestyle

TOKYO, Japan - Takeshi Matsuda rewrote a national record in the men's 1,500-meter freestyle when he clocked 15 minutes, 9.52 seconds in a qualifying race at the swimming national championships held at Tokyo Tatsumi International Swimming Center on April 22. The 19-year-old eclipsed the previous record of 15:14.43 set by Masato Hirano at the Sydney Olympics. (Kyodo)

Hirano sets national record in 1,500 freestyle, does not advance

Hirano sets national record in 1,500 freestyle, does not advance

SYDNEY, Australia - Masato Hirano sets a Japanese record in the men's 1,500-meter freestyle event at the Sydney Olympics on Sept. 22 with a time of 15:14.43, but finished 13th overall and did not qualify for the gold medal final.

Thai, Japanese swimmers pat on each other

Thai, Japanese swimmers pat on each other

Thai, Japanese swimmers pat on each other Sethsothorn Torlarp (L) of Thailand, who touched in a new Asian Games record of 3 minutes, 53.61 seconds to win gold in the men's 400-meter freestyle in Bangkok on Dec. 10, pats on Masato Hirano of Japan who finished 0.48 second behind. ==Kyodo