THRILLING SWIMMING RACE

Dominion, Volume 28, Issue 99, 21 January 1935, Page 9

THRILLING SWIMMING RACE

Australian Championships JAPANESE BRILLIANTLY AVINS 100 YARDS By Telegraph.—Press Assn.—Copyright (Received January 20, 6.30 p.m.) Melbourne, January 19. The swimming championships opened to-day in perfect weather in the recently completed 55-yard Olympic pool which is described as the best in the Southern Hemisphere. The cost of the pool was £30,000. More than 3500 spectators attended the championships. Results included:— 100yds. Championship ot Australia: Sakagami (Japan) 1; IV. Kendall (New South Wales) 2; W. Fleming (Queensland) 3. A. Crawford and G. Vockler (Victoria) deadbeat 4. Won by 14 yards. Time, 55 1-5 secs. 220yds. Breaststroke Championship: W. Weir (Victoria) 1: E. Hobbs. (West Australia) 2; R. Houston (Victoria) 3; Kwong Chun Hang (China) 4. Won by inches, witii a yard between second and third. Time, 3min. 7 2-s.se c. 440yds. Invitation Handicap: Jean Taris (France) 1; S. Herford (New South Wales) 2; T. Sampson (Melbourne) 3. Time, smin. 10 1-5 sec. The field in the 100yds. was the best ever seen at Melbourne, It comprised in addition to the place-getters. B. Hodgson and R. Clark (New South Wales), Nankivell (West Australia), and Smitheram (South Australia). Sakagami drew number one lane next to Wall. From a perfect start Kendall went to the front but Sakagami caught, him before the turn. In the kick-off Kendall had a slight advantage but Sakagami won with a brilliant finishing spurt by a yard and a half. Fleming was a touch behind. Kendall holds the resident title. Sakagami’s time was one-fifth of a second outside Vockler’s record but the present records wore made in shorter pools with more turns and are unlikely to be bettered for some time. Other events to-day included interstate and junior handicaps. The Australian championships will be continued on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday.