[2] Kitajima, who was born in Tokyo, was the world record holder in the 100 m breaststroke that he set at the 2008 Beijing Olympics – this mark was broken by Brenton Rickard.

He edged out his main rival Brendan Hansen who finished fourth while Kitajima won the gold medal and set the new world record.

[4] During the 2004 Summer Olympics in Athens, Kitajima generated buzz for his primal screams of exuberance after edging out Hansen in the 100 m and 200 m breaststroke for the gold.

At a pool side interview (3'24") following his victory in the 100 m, Kosuke Kitajima also popularised the phrase 'cho-kimochi-ii,' meaning "I feel really good."

[6][7][8] Kitajima retired in April 2016 after missing qualification for the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro.