Familiar winners in MVA’s swimming festival

Tsunami Saipan’s Kensuke Kimura showed his winning form to top the Marianas Visitors Authority’s (MVA) 1st Annual Swimming Festival in Managaha held late last month, while teammate Angel Marie Tan ruled the women’s division.

Kimura and Tan, who won last year’s race when it was still known as the Saipan International Open Water Flipper Race Tournament, clocked in at 21:16 and 22:52 in the June 28 competition. Kimura finished ahead of Takumi Sugie (22:41) and Daishi Hiroki (24:20) in the men’s overall ranking, while Tan defeated Angel De Jesus (26:53) and Miku Tammy (27:59).

Thirty-three participants from Japan, Guam, and the Northern Mariana Islands joined the event, with another 19 joining the 500m and 1500m group swim.

“We’re very happy with the results of the festival. Everything went smoothly, and the participants had a safe and enjoyable time,” MVA managing director Perry Tenorio said.

In the male junior division, the winners were Jhota Yoshina (28:46) for the U10 age group and Mark Anthony Maestro (27:56) for the 11 to 12 division. In the female junior division, the winners were Sophia Klair Gauran (38:02) for the U10 category, Megumi Yoshino (28:38) for the 11 to 12 age group, and Daime Rivera (38:04) for the 16 to 18 bracket.

Other winners include Takehiro Kashima (38:56) for male 30-39; Hiroshi Tanaka 32:01) for make 40-49; Juelee Won (34:29) for female 30-39; Miyako Mamana (48:39) for female 40-49; Lorie Hutchinson (35:08) for female 50-59; and Haruko Kawafuji (38:04) for female 60-and-above.

Meanwhile, the race also lured gymnast and Olympic medalist Takehiro Kashima, who won gold and bronze medals in the 2004 Summer Olympics in Athens and a silver medal in the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing. Kashima was the guest of Central Sports Co., Ltd., the largest fitness club franchise in Japan and co-organizer of the swimming festival.

Representatives of Japan media Marine Diving Magazine and Music Bird radio were also on island to cover the event, which required swimmers to use wetsuits or life jacket and fins along with mask and snorkels.

Event sponsors include Japan Marine Recreation Association, Japan Recreational Diving Industry Association, Japan Scuba Association, Japan Wetsuits Manufacturers Association, University life Sport Education Society, and Northern Mariana Diving Operators Association. Co-sponsors of the event are Delta Air Lines, Japan Saipan Travel Association, Hotel Association of the Northern Mariana Islands, DFS Saipan, and the Commonwealth Health Center. The MVA also extended its appreciation to Dept. of Public Safety Boating Safety, Tasi Tours, Smiling Cove Marina, and timers Peter and Emma Perez of Saipan Swim Club. (MVA)