BEIJING - Kosuke Kitajima of Japan swept the breaststroke events in his second straight Olympics on Thursday, winning the 200-meter race at the Beijing Games.

Kitajima became the first swimmer to claim both the 100 and 200 gold medals at consecutive games.

With rival Brendan Hansen not even in the field - the American failed to qualify for the event at the U.S. trials - Kitajima was an overwhelming favorite. He lived up to the billing, winning easily in 2 minutes, 7;64 seconds.

Kitajima came up 0.13 short of his own world record, set in June, but finished a half-body length ahead of silver medalist Brenton Rickard of Australia (2:08.88) to match his two breaststroke golds in Athens four years ago. Hugues Duboscq of France claimed the bronze in 2:08.94.