2008 Japan Open: Synchronized Swimming/ Harada makes case for simpler program for Beijing

Keep it simple or kiss goodbye to gold at the Olympics.

That was the message Japanese synchronized swimming star Saho Harada had for her choreographers on Sunday after putting in a mistake-strewn performance in the duet free routine during the 2008 Japan Open at Tokyo Tatsumi International Swimming Center.

"I'm disappointed because I made a lot of mistakes with my upper body," Harada said. "It's difficult for us because Japan always makes technically challenging programs in order to win gold at the Olympics. But it is too difficult and we're hoping to simplify it in the next three months (ahead of the Beijing Games)."

Despite her obvious displeasure at the way her day went Sunday, Harada and partner Emiko Suzuki still lead the duet standings heading into today's finals.

The pair scored 48.167 in the free program for a combined 96.417 points, 6.917 ahead of closest rival Pier 88--made up of sisters Saya and Maya Kimura--and 7.333 points ahead of Canadian pair Jennifer Knobs and Erin Wilson in third.

Harada also leads solo swimmers with a combined score of 96.000, leaving second-place Takako Konishi 6.250 points adrift and third-place Yumi Adachi a further 6.333 points back.

Japan team leader Masako Kaneko expressed her concern over the complexity of some of the routines, specifically singling out Harada and Suzuki for what she considered to be a substandard duet performance.

"I'm very pleased with the progress of the juniors, who are raising their level with every tournament and seem eager to fight," Kaneko said. "On the other hand, our top swimmers still have work to do if we hope to take home gold in Beijing. Harada and Suzuki weren't at their best today. Their program is difficult and they made a lot of mistakes. We'll have to change things or we'll be in trouble at the Olympics."

Japan, which won silver in the duet and team events at the last two Olympics, is using the the tournament as a tuneup ahead of the Beijing Games in August.

Harada stands to repeat as Japan Open champion today in the solo, duet and team events as Japan also topped the team preliminaries with a solid free routine on Sunday.

The team, made up of Harada, Suzuki, Naoko Kawashima, Ayako Matsumura, Masako Tachibana, Ai Aoki, Erika Komura, Hiromi Kobayashi and Yumiko Ishiguro, scored 48.500 to lead Tokyo A by a combined 6.833 points. Team Japan led after the technical routine Saturday with a score of 48.250.

Harada sat out the team free program after participating in the technical routine, but is expected to take part in the team final today.

Coming off 48.000 scores in both the free and technical solo routines Friday and Saturday, the 25-year-old Harada teamed up with partner Emiko Suzuki to head the duet preliminaries with a score of 96.417.

Kazakhstan duo Anna Kulkina and Arna Toktagan did well to overcome a technical glitch to finish fourth. Midway through the pair's free routine Sunday, the sound system suddenly cut out, leaving the duo swimming in silence. With the CD player fixed, the pair was allowed to return to the pool to start again.

The top 12 finishers in each of the solo, duet and team events will compete in the finals today starting at 10:30.(IHT/Asahi: May 5,2008)