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Tsunami Saipan dominates Flipper anew
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Posted on Jun 23 2011
Tsunami Swimming Center Saipan stamped its mark at the Saipan International Open Water Flipper Race for the third straight year after Kensuke Kimura emerged as the first overall finisher in the Saturday race around Managaha Island.
Kimura completed the 1.5-kilometer race in 21 minutes and 29 seconds to keep Tsunami Saipan’s reign intact in the Marianas Visitors Authority-organized event. During the inaugural staging of Flipper in 2009, Tsunami Saipan ace swimmer Rezne Wong took the overall championship with a time of 19:32. The following year, Wong topped the race anew with a faster time of 19:07.
Kimura finished second to Wong last year with a time of 20:16, beating his brother, Shin (20:17), in a neck-and-neck finish. In 2009, Kensuke placed fourth with a time of 19:41, behind Shin (19:39) and Japanese Yusuke Kaneko (19:40).
Duplicating Kensuke Kimura’s feat last weekend was Angel Marie Tan, who was the top female overall finisher after clocking in at 24:56. It was Tan’s first Flipper win after registering bridesmaid finishes for two years. She timed in at 24:37 in 2009 and 23:34 last year.
Angel De Jesus retained the third spot after submitting 28:39. She came in third place last year after posting 26:17. In the men’s division, De Jesus’ teammate, Kaisei Toda, also finished third after tallying 24:45. Japan’s Daisuke Akama placed second with a time of 21:37.
Besides Kensuke Kimura, Tan, De Jesus, and Toda overall finishers, the club’s five swimmers also reigned supreme in their respective age groups.
Miku Tammy and Hiroto Yanai swept the U10 division with the former clocking in at 31:17 and the latter recording 34:15.
Hiroto’s older brother, Kaito, ruled the boys 11 to 12 with a time of 26:07, while Takumi Sugie (25:53) and Shigeki Tenorio (28:42) prevailed in the boys 13 to 15 and 16 to 19 divisions, respectively.
“Tsunami Saipan swimmers had a great race at Flipper. They had excellent results and we are very proud of them,” said Tsunami Saipan coach Hiro Kimura.
