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"Public Servant Swimmer" Yuki Kawachi Makes Final in 100 m Freestyle

http://www.nikkansports.com/sports/news/f-sp-tp0-20120405-929360.html

translated by Brett Larner

At the national swimming Olympic trials in Tokyo on Apr. 5, Yuki Kawachi (25, SDF Academy) won his 100 m freestyle semifinal in a time of 50.21 to advance to the final, where he is ranked 7th.  His time was 0.30 second faster than he swam in his opening heat, but, he says, "I'm a little dissatisfied.  In the final I'm shooting for 48.9."

Although his name is written almost identically to the "Public Servant Runner" Yuki Kawauchi (25, Saitama Pref.), his last name is pronounced "Kawachi."  Nevertheless, the similarity is enough for his coworkers at the SDF Academy office to call him the "Public Servant Swimmer."  "People always say, 'Hey, you guys have the same name,'" says Kawachi.  "Having the same first name gives me motivation."

The marathoner Kawauchi missed out on making the London Olympic team, but the swimmer Kawachi is right on the verge of making it in the 400 m relay.  "I want to get my ticket to the Olympics," he said.

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