View source for Kosuke Kitajima

{{Short description|Japanese swimmer (born 1982)}}
{{Infobox swimmer
| name           = Kosuke Kitajima
| image          = Kitajima-2.jpg
| image_size     = 
| alt            = 
| caption        = 
| fullname       = 
| nicknames      = 
| nationality    = {{JPN}}
| strokes        = [[Breaststroke]]
| club           = 
| coach          = 
| collegeteam    = 
| birth_date     = {{Birth date and age|1982|9|22|mf=y}}
| birth_place    = [[Tokyo]], Japan
| death_date     = 
| death_place    = 
| height         = 177 cm<ref>{{cite web|title=Japanese Medalists in London 2012 Olympics|url=http://www.joc.or.jp/english/londonolympics/medalists.html|work=joc.or.jp|publisher=[[Japanese Olympic Committee]]|access-date=17 January 2014}}</ref>
| weight         = {{convert|72|kg|lb|abbr=on}}
| medaltemplates = 
{{MedalSport | Men's [[swimming (sport)|swimming]]}}
{{MedalCountry | {{JPN}}}}
{{MedalCount
| [[Swimming at the Summer Olympics|Olympic Games]] |4|1|2
| [[FINA World Aquatics Championships|World Championships (LC)]] |3|4|5
| [[FINA World Swimming Championships (25 m)|World Championships (SC)]] |0|1|0
| [[Pan Pacific Swimming Championships|Pan Pacific Championships]] |3|3|1
| [[Swimming at the Asian Games|Asian Games]] |7|1|0
| '''Total''' | '''17''' | '''10''' | '''8'''
}}
{{MedalCompetition | [[Swimming at the Summer Olympics|Olympic Games]]}}
{{MedalGold | [[Swimming at the 2004 Summer Olympics|2004 Athens]] | [[Swimming at the 2004 Summer Olympics – Men's 100 metre breaststroke|100 m breaststroke]]}}
{{MedalGold | 2004 Athens |  [[Swimming at the 2004 Summer Olympics – Men's 200 metre breaststroke|200 m breaststroke]]}}
{{MedalGold | [[Swimming at the 2008 Summer Olympics|2008 Beijing]] | [[Swimming at the 2008 Summer Olympics – Men's 100 metre breaststroke|100 m breaststroke]]}}
{{MedalGold | 2008 Beijing | [[Swimming at the 2008 Summer Olympics – Men's 200 metre breaststroke|200 m breaststroke]]}}
{{MedalSilver |[[Swimming at the 2012 Summer Olympics|2012 London]] | [[Swimming at the 2012 Summer Olympics – Men's 4 × 100 metre medley relay|4×100 m medley]]}}
{{MedalBronze | 2004 Athens | [[Swimming at the 2004 Summer Olympics – Men's 4 × 100 metre medley relay|4×100 m medley]]}}
{{MedalBronze | 2008 Beijing | [[Swimming at the 2008 Summer Olympics – Men's 4 × 100 metre medley relay|4×100 m medley]]}}
{{MedalCompetition | [[FINA World Aquatics Championships|World Championships (LC)]]}}
{{MedalGold | [[Swimming at the 2003 World Aquatics Championships|2003 Barcelona]] | [[Swimming at the 2003 World Aquatics Championships – Men's 100 metre breaststroke|100 m breaststroke]]}}
{{MedalGold | 2003 Barcelona | [[Swimming at the 2003 World Aquatics Championships – Men's 200 metre breaststroke|200 m breaststroke]]}}
{{MedalGold | [[Swimming at the 2007 World Aquatics Championships|2007 Melbourne]] | [[Swimming at the 2007 World Aquatics Championships – Men's 200 metre breaststroke|200 m breaststroke]]}}
{{MedalSilver | [[Swimming at the 2005 World Aquatics Championships|2005 Montreal]] | [[Swimming at the 2005 World Aquatics Championships – Men's 100 metre breaststroke|100 m breaststroke]]}}
{{MedalSilver | 2007 Melbourne | [[Swimming at the 2007 World Aquatics Championships – Men's 100 metre breaststroke|100 m breaststroke]]}}
{{MedalSilver | 2007 Melbourne | [[Swimming at the 2007 World Aquatics Championships – Men's 4 × 100 metre medley relay|4×100 m medley]]}}
{{MedalSilver | [[Swimming at the 2011 World Aquatics Championships|2011 Shanghai]] | [[Swimming at the 2011 World Aquatics Championships – Men's 200 metre breaststroke|200 m breaststroke]]}}
{{MedalBronze | [[Swimming at the 2001 World Aquatics Championships|2001 Fukuoka]] | [[Swimming at the 2001 World Aquatics Championships – Men's 200 metre breaststroke|200 m breaststroke]]}}
{{MedalBronze | 2003 Barcelona | [[Swimming at the 2003 World Aquatics Championships – Men's 4 × 100 metre medley relay|4×100 m medley]]}}
{{MedalBronze | 2005 Montreal | [[Swimming at the 2005 World Aquatics Championships – Men's 50 metre breaststroke|50 m breaststroke]]}}
{{MedalBronze | 2005 Montreal | [[Swimming at the 2005 World Aquatics Championships – Men's 4 × 100 metre medley relay|4×100 m medley]]}}
{{MedalBronze | [[Swimming at the 2013 World Aquatics Championships|2013 Barcelona]] | [[Swimming at the 2013 World Aquatics Championships – Men's 4 × 100 metre medley relay|4×100 m medley]]}}
{{MedalCompetition | [[FINA World Swimming Championships (25 m)|World Championships (SC)]]}}
{{MedalSilver | [[2002 FINA World Swimming Championships (25 m)|2002 Moscow]] | 100 m breaststroke}}
{{MedalCompetition | [[Pan Pacific Swimming Championships|Pan Pacific Championships]]}}
{{MedalGold | [[2002 Pan Pacific Swimming Championships|2002 Yokohama]] | [[2002 Pan Pacific Swimming Championships – Men's 100 metre breaststroke|100 m breaststroke]]}}
{{MedalGold | [[2010 Pan Pacific Swimming Championships|2010 Irvine]] | [[2010 Pan Pacific Swimming Championships – Men's 100 metre breaststroke|100 m breaststroke]]}}
{{MedalGold | 2010 Irvine | [[2010 Pan Pacific Swimming Championships – Men's 200 metre breaststroke|200 m breaststroke]]}}
{{MedalSilver | [[2006 Pan Pacific Swimming Championships|2006 Victoria]] | [[2006 Pan Pacific Swimming Championships – Men's 200 metre breaststroke|200 m breaststroke]]}}
{{MedalSilver | 2006 Victoria | [[2006 Pan Pacific Swimming Championships – Men's 4 × 100 metre medley relay|4×100 m medley]]}}
{{MedalSilver | 2010 Irvine | [[2010 Pan Pacific Swimming Championships – Men's 4 × 100 metre medley relay|4×100 m medley]]}}
{{MedalBronze | 2006 Victoria | [[2006 Pan Pacific Swimming Championships – Men's 100 metre breaststroke|100 m breaststroke]]}}
{{MedalCompetition | [[Swimming at the Asian Games|Asian Games]]}}
{{MedalGold | [[Swimming at the 2002 Asian Games|2002 Busan]] | [[Swimming at the 2002 Asian Games – Men's 100 metre breaststroke|100 m breaststroke]]}}
{{MedalGold | 2002 Busan | [[Swimming at the 2002 Asian Games – Men's 200 metre breaststroke|200 m breaststroke]]}}
{{MedalGold | 2002 Busan | [[Swimming at the 2002 Asian Games – Men's 4 x 100 metre medley relay|4×100 m medley]]}}
{{MedalGold | [[Swimming at the 2006 Asian Games|2006 Doha]] | [[Swimming at the 2006 Asian Games – Men's 100 metre breaststroke|100 m breaststroke]]}}
{{MedalGold | 2006 Doha | [[Swimming at the 2006 Asian Games – Men's 200 metre breaststroke|200 m breaststroke]]}}
{{MedalGold | 2006 Doha | [[Swimming at the 2006 Asian Games – Men's 4 x 100 metre medley relay|4×100 m medley]]}}
{{MedalGold | [[Swimming at the 2010 Asian Games|2010 Guangzhou]] | [[Swimming at the 2010 Asian Games – Men's 4 x 100 metre medley relay|4×100 m medley]]}}
{{MedalSilver | 2006 Doha | [[Swimming at the 2006 Asian Games – Men's 50 metre breaststroke|50 m breaststroke]]}}
}}
{{nihongo|'''Kosuke Kitajima'''|北島 康介|Kitajima Kōsuke|born September 22, 1982}} is a Japanese retired [[breaststroke]] [[swimmer]]. He won [[gold medal]]s at the men's 100 m and 200 m [[breaststroke]] events at the [[2004 Summer Olympics]], and the [[2008 Summer Olympics]] – becoming the first and only swimmer to sweep the breaststroke events at consecutive Olympic games.<ref>{{cite news | last=Clarey | first=Christopher | title=Kitajima Completes Breaststroke Double, Again | date=August 13, 2008 | work=The New York Times | url=https://www.nytimes.com/2008/08/14/sports/olympics/14swimweb.html?hp}}</ref>

==Major achievements==
Kitajima, who was born in Tokyo, was the world record holder in the 100&nbsp;m breaststroke that he set at the [[2008 Beijing Olympics]] – this mark was broken by [[Brenton Rickard]]. He was also bronze medal winner in the same Olympics in the 4×100&nbsp;m medley relay. He edged out his main rival Brendan Hansen who finished fourth while Kitajima won the gold medal and set the new world record.

He received four gold medals, one silver and two bronze medals in total at the 2004, 2008 and 2012 Olympics.<ref>Odeven, Ed, "[http://www.japantimes.co.jp/text/so20120603s1.html Kitajima eyes three-peat]", ''[[Japan Times]]'', 3 June 2012, p. 16</ref>

His most significant rival in the breaststroke was the American swimmer [[Brendan Hansen]]. They dueled at events such as the [[2005 World Aquatics Championships|2005 World Championships]], [[2004 Summer Olympics]] and [[2003 World Aquatics Championships|2003 World Championships]]. Kitajima set both world records for 100&nbsp;m and 200&nbsp;m breaststroke in the latter occasion. Later his best in 200&nbsp;m was overcome by [[Dimitri Komornikov]] and then by Hansen, who also broke Kitajima's record in the 100&nbsp;m.  Kitajima regained the world record (58.91) in the 100&nbsp;m at the [[2008 Summer Olympics]]. Kitajima regained the 200&nbsp;m breaststroke [[List of world records in swimming|world record]] in June 2008 at the Japan Open.  His time of 2:07.51 shaved nearly a second off the previous record of 2:08.50 set by Hansen in 2006.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/olympics/swimming/news/story?id=3432029&campaign=rsssrch&source=swimming |title=Kitajima supplants American Hansen's world breaststroke mark |date=8 June 2008 |access-date=2008-06-10 }}</ref>

During the 2004 Summer Olympics in Athens, Kitajima generated buzz for his primal screams of exuberance after edging out Hansen in the 100&nbsp;m and 200&nbsp;m breaststroke for the gold. At a pool side interview [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bj--2sueXpU (3'24")] following his victory in the 100&nbsp;m, Kosuke Kitajima also popularised the phrase 'cho-kimochi-ii,' meaning "I feel really good." The word went on to win the 2004 U-Can Neologisms and Vogue Words contest.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.jiyu.co.jp/singo/nendo/2004.html |title=2004 Annual Grand Prix |access-date=2007-07-24 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20070315222443/http://www.jiyu.co.jp/singo/nendo/2004.html |archive-date = 2007-03-15}}</ref>

During his gold medal-winning 100&nbsp;m breaststroke race at the 2004 Olympics, he used an illegal dolphin kick on a pull-out, although he was not disqualified, and the rules were changed less than one year later to allow a single dolphin kick after the start and after each turn.<ref>{{Cite web | url=https://www.theatlantic.com/entertainment/archive/2012/07/the-new-rule-that-could-sink-michael-phelps/260380/ | title=The New Rule That Could Sink Michael Phelps | website=[[The Atlantic]] | date=27 July 2012 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal | url=https://slate.com/culture/2012/08/cameron-van-der-burgh-dolphin-kick-how-the-south-african-swimmer-used-an-illegal-move-to-win-gold-in-london.html | title=The Cheatingest Move in Swimming: How a South African Used Illegal Dolphin Kicks to Win Gold | journal=Slate | date=7 August 2012 | last1=Peters | first1=Justin }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web | url=https://www.swimmingworldmagazine.com/news/more-breaststroke-dolphin-kick-controversy/ | title=More Breaststroke Dolphin Kick Controversy | date=26 October 2007 }}</ref>

Kitajima retired in April 2016 after missing qualification for the [[2016 Summer Olympics]] in Rio de Janeiro. He was attempting to qualify for his fifth Olympics.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.swimvortex.com/bye-says-king-frog-kosuke-kitajima-four-games-four-golds-pantheon-bound/ |title=Bye, Says King Frog Kosuke Kitajima, Four Games, Four Golds, Pantheon-Bound |first1=Craig |last1=Lord |date=April 8, 2016 |publisher=Swimvortex |access-date=April 8, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170912133033/http://www.swimvortex.com/bye-says-king-frog-kosuke-kitajima-four-games-four-golds-pantheon-bound/ |archive-date=September 12, 2017 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

=== Professional roles & legacy ===

After retiring from competition, Kitajima moved into leadership roles within swimming. In 2020, he became General Manager of the [[Tokyo Frog Kings]], Japan’s first Asian franchise in the [[International Swimming League]] (ISL).<ref>{{cite web |last=De George |first=Matthew |title=Entering Second ISL Match, Kosuke Kitajima Impressed by Tokyo Frog Kings |url=https://www.swimmingworldmagazine.com/news/entering-second-isl-match-kosuke-kitajima-impressed-by-tokyo-frog-kings/ |publisher=Swimming World |date=29 October 2020 |access-date=30 October 2025}}</ref>

Under Kitajima’s management, the Frog Kings debuted in Budapest, finishing second in their opening match with 506.5 points, behind the LA Current (535.5).<ref>{{cite web |title=ISL Match Three Notes: Electric Current Edge Frog Kings Thanks to Gastaldello and Mr Money |url=https://www.swimmingworldmagazine.com/news/isl-match-three-notes-electric-current-edge-frog-kings-thanks-to-gastaldello-and-mr-money/ |publisher=Swimming World |date=30 October 2020 |access-date=30 October 2025}}</ref> The team featured a largely domestic roster, with 22 of 31 athletes representing Japan, and several swimmers making their ISL debut.<ref>{{cite web |title=Entering Second ISL Match, Kosuke Kitajima Impressed by Tokyo Frog Kings |url=https://www.swimmingworldmagazine.com/news/entering-second-isl-match-kosuke-kitajima-impressed-by-tokyo-frog-kings/ |publisher=Swimming World |date=29 October 2020 |access-date=30 October 2025}}</ref> 

Notable early performances included Suzuka Hasegawa’s ISL record in the women’s 200 m butterfly (2:03.12).<ref>{{cite web |title=ISL Match Three Notes: Electric Current Edge Frog Kings Thanks to Gastaldello and Mr Money |url=https://www.swimmingworldmagazine.com/news/isl-match-three-notes-electric-current-edge-frog-kings-thanks-to-gastaldello-and-mr-money/ |publisher=Swimming World |date=30 October 2020 |access-date=30 October 2025}}</ref> Kitajima described the ISL as an opportunity for Japanese swimmers to gain experience in an international professional team format.<ref>{{cite web |title=Entering Second ISL Match, Kosuke Kitajima Impressed by Tokyo Frog Kings |url=https://www.swimmingworldmagazine.com/news/entering-second-isl-match-kosuke-kitajima-impressed-by-tokyo-frog-kings/ |publisher=Swimming World |date=29 October 2020 |access-date=30 October 2025}}</ref>

In January 2025, the [[Kosuke Kitajima Cup]] was held at the Tokyo Aquatics Centre, serving as a qualifying meet for the World Championships in Japan.<ref>{{cite web |title=2025 Kosuke Kitajima Cup Represents World Championships Qualifying Opportunity |url=https://swimswam.com/2025-kosuke-kitajima-cup-represents-world-championships-qualifying-opportunity/ |publisher=SwimSwam |date=24 January 2025 |access-date=30 October 2025}}</ref>

==Personal bests==
In long course swimming pools Kitajima's bests are:

*  50 m breaststroke: 27.30 (13 April 2010)
* 100 m breaststroke: 58.90 (3 April 2012)
* 200 m breaststroke: 2:07.51 (8 June 2008)

==See also==
*[[World record progression 100 metres breaststroke]]
*[[World record progression 200 metres breaststroke]]
*[[List of multiple Olympic gold medalists]]
*[[List of multiple Olympic gold medalists at a single Games]]
*[[List of multiple Olympic medalists]]

==References==
{{Reflist|30em}}

==External links==
* [http://www.worldwhoswho.com/views/entry.html?id=sl1128936 KITAJIMA, Kosuke] International Who's Who. accessed September 4, 2006.
* {{Official website|http://www.frogtown.jp/}} {{in lang|ja}}
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20120825174101/http://www.london2012.com/athlete/kitajima-kosuke-1026879/ Profile London 2012 Official Website]
* [http://www.kitajima-kosuke.com/en/]

{{s-start}}
{{s-ach|rec}}
{{succession box|before=[[Mike Barrowman]]|title=[[World record progression 200 metres breaststroke|Men's 200 metre breaststroke<br />world record holder (long course)]]|years=October 2, 2002 – June 15, 2003|after=[[Dmitry Komornikov]]|rec}}
{{succession box|before=[[Roman Sludnov]]|title=[[World record progression 100 metres breaststroke|Men's 100 metre breaststroke<br />world record holder (long course)]]|years=July 21, 2003 – July 8, 2004|after=[[Brendan Hansen]]|rec}}
{{succession box|before=Dmitry Komornikov|title=[[World record progression 200 metres breaststroke|Men's 200 metre breaststroke<br />world record holder (long course)]]|years=July 24, 2003 – July 11, 2004|after=Brendan Hansen|rec}}
{{succession box|before=Brendan Hansen|title=[[World record progression 200 metres breaststroke|Men's 200 metre breaststroke<br />world record holder (long course)]]|years=June 8, 2008 – July 30, 2009|after=[[Christian Sprenger]]|rec}}
{{succession box|before=Brendan Hansen|title=[[World record progression 100 metres breaststroke|Men's 100 metre breaststroke<br />world record holder (long course)]]|years=August 11, 2008 – July 27, 2009|after=[[Brenton Rickard]]|rec}}
{{s-ach|aw}}
{{succession box|title=[[List of Swimming World Swimmers of the Year#Pacific Rim Swimmers of the Year|Pacific Rim Swimmer of the Year]]|before=[[Ian Thorpe]]|after=Ian Thorpe|years=2003}}
{{succession box|title=[[List of Swimming World Swimmers of the Year#Pacific Rim Swimmers of the Year|Pacific Rim Swimmer of the Year]]|before=[[Park Tae-Hwan]]|after=[[Zhang Lin (swimmer)|Zhang Lin]]|years=2007–2008}}
{{succession box|title=[[List of Swimming World Swimmers of the Year#Pacific Rim Swimmers of the Year|Pacific Rim Swimmer of the Year]]|before=Zhang Lin|after=[[Sun Yang]]|years= 2010}}
{{s-end}}

{{Footer Olympic Champions 100 m Breaststroke Men}}
{{Footer Olympic Champions 200 m Breaststroke Men}}
{{Footer World LC Champions 100m Breaststroke Men}}
{{Footer World LC Champions 200m Breaststroke Men}}
{{Footer Pan Pacific Champions 100m Breaststroke Men}}
{{Footer Pan Pacific Champions 200m Breaststroke Men}}
{{Footer Asian Games Champions 100m Breaststroke Men}}
{{Footer Asian Games Champions 200m Breaststroke Men}}

{{Commons category|Kosuke Kitajima}}

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Kitajima, Kosuke}}
[[Category:1982 births]]
[[Category:Japanese male breaststroke swimmers]]
[[Category:Olympic swimmers for Japan]]
[[Category:Olympic gold medalists for Japan]]
[[Category:Olympic silver medalists for Japan]]
[[Category:Olympic bronze medalists for Japan]]
[[Category:Swimmers at the 2000 Summer Olympics]]
[[Category:Swimmers at the 2004 Summer Olympics]]
[[Category:Swimmers at the 2008 Summer Olympics]]
[[Category:Swimmers at the 2012 Summer Olympics]]
[[Category:World record setters in swimming]]
[[Category:Nippon Sport Science University alumni]]
[[Category:Olympic bronze medalists in swimming]]
[[Category:World Aquatics Championships medalists in swimming]]
[[Category:Swimmers from Tokyo]]
[[Category:Medalists at the FINA World Swimming Championships (25 m)]]
[[Category:Swimmers at the 2002 Asian Games]]
[[Category:Swimmers at the 2006 Asian Games]]
[[Category:Swimmers at the 2010 Asian Games]]
[[Category:Medalists at the 2012 Summer Olympics]]
[[Category:Medalists at the 2008 Summer Olympics]]
[[Category:Medalists at the 2004 Summer Olympics]]
[[Category:Asian Games gold medalists for Japan]]
[[Category:Asian Games swimmers for Japan]]
[[Category:Asian Games silver medalists for Japan]]
[[Category:Olympic gold medalists in swimming]]
[[Category:Olympic silver medalists in swimming]]
[[Category:Recipients of the Medal with Purple Ribbon]]
[[Category:Medalists at the 2002 Asian Games]]
[[Category:Medalists at the 2006 Asian Games]]
[[Category:Medalists at the 2010 Asian Games]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Goodwill Games medalists in swimming]]
[[Category:Competitors at the 2001 Goodwill Games]]
[[Category:20th-century Japanese sportsmen]]
[[Category:21st-century Japanese sportsmen]]
[[Category:Asian Games silver medalists in swimming]]
[[Category:Asian Games gold medalists in swimming]]