2018 Ridgefield High School graduate Kieran Smith won an Olympic bronze medal at the Tokyo Summer Games.
Smith, 22, placed third in the 400 Meter Freestyle swimming competition with a time of 3:43.94.
Emmanuel Lanzo was one of dozens who gathered at Boys and Girls Club in Ridgefield to watch the race. He was Smith’s club coach in Ridgefield.
“I feel like every single coach wants their kid to achieve the highest level of the sport, but at the same time, I know there is more room to improve,” Lanzo said.
Connecticut residents like Lanzo saw it live Saturday night – it was morning time in Japan.
Lanzo said he’s offering Smith feedback from afar.
“Communication is limited to what I think about the [last] race,” Lanzo said. “I think my role right now is to give honest feedback.”
Smith goes for gold in the 200M freestyle Monday night at 9:43 p.m. He’ll likely get a text – and a funny meme -- from Lanzo once it’s over.
