If Kai Hayashida, who recently turned 12, were to jump in the pool today and race his father/coach, Jon, both parties agree that youth would win out.
Even if Jon Hayashida could turn back the clock, he’d be out of luck — Kai’s times as an 11-year-old are better than his father’s at the same age.
At least for now. The older Hayashida started to sprout at ages 12-13 and eventually swam at two colleges, first at the University of Houston and then the University of Denver.
“I started working and improving when I was this age,” Jon said.