Noriko Mochizuki (望月 のり子, Mochizuki Noriko; born 16 July 1967) is a Japanese gymnast. She competed in six events at the…Noriko Mochizuki (望月 のり子, Mochizuki Noriko; born 16 July 1967) is a Japanese gymnast. She competed in six events at the 1984 Summer Olympics.
Takashi Chinen (知念孝, Chinen Takashi; born March 25, 1967) is a Japanese former artistic gymnast who competed in the…Takashi Chinen (知念孝, Chinen Takashi; born March 25, 1967) is a Japanese former artistic gymnast who competed in the 1992 Summer Olympics and won a bronze medal in the men's team event. He also won a team bronze medal at the 1994 Asian Games.
Hiroko Otsuka (Japanese: 大塚 裕子, Ōtsuka Hiroko, born March 8, 1967, Uwajima, Ehime) is a retired Japanese rhythmic…Hiroko Otsuka (Japanese: 大塚 裕子, Ōtsuka Hiroko, born March 8, 1967, Uwajima, Ehime) is a retired Japanese rhythmic gymnast. She competed for Japan in the individual rhythmic gymnastics all-around competition at the 1988 Olympic Games in Seoul. She tied for 27th place in the qualification round and didn't advance to the final.
Erika Akiyama (Japanese: 秋山 エリカ, born December 31, 1964, Fukuoka) is a retired Japanese rhythmic gymnast, a gymnastics…Erika Akiyama (Japanese: 秋山 エリカ, born December 31, 1964, Fukuoka) is a retired Japanese rhythmic gymnast, a gymnastics coach. She competed for Japan in the individual rhythmic gymnastics all-around competition at two Olympic Games: in 1984 in Los Angeles in 1988 in Seoul. In 1984 she was 13th in the qualification and advanced to the final, placing 13th overall, in 1988 she tied for 17th place in the qualification and again advanced to the final, placing 15th overall.
Yayoi Kano (加納 弥生; 1963 – 28 May 2019), married name Sasada (笹田), was a Japanese women's artistic gymnast. She was a…Yayoi Kano (加納 弥生; 1963 – 28 May 2019), married name Sasada (笹田), was a Japanese women's artistic gymnast. She was a three-time national champion, competed at the 1978 and 1982 Asian Games, and taught at Kokugakuin University.
Sakiko Nozawa (野沢 咲子, Nozawa Sakiko; born 12 July 1961) is a Japanese gymnast. She competed in six events at the 1976…Sakiko Nozawa (野沢 咲子, Nozawa Sakiko; born 12 July 1961) is a Japanese gymnast. She competed in six events at the 1976 Summer Olympics.
Satoko Okazaki (岡崎 聡子, Okazaki Satoko; born 13 January 1961) is a Japanese gymnast. She competed in six events at the…Satoko Okazaki (岡崎 聡子, Okazaki Satoko; born 13 January 1961) is a Japanese gymnast. She competed in six events at the 1976 Summer Olympics.
Hiroko Yamasaki (山崎 浩子, Yamasaki Hiroko; born January 3, 1960, Minamikyushu, Kagoshima) is a retired Japanese rhythmic…Hiroko Yamasaki (山崎 浩子, Yamasaki Hiroko; born January 3, 1960, Minamikyushu, Kagoshima) is a retired Japanese rhythmic gymnast. After enrolling at the Tokyo Women's College of Physical Education, Yamasaki became a five-time national champion. She competed for Japan in the individual rhythmic gymnastics all-around competition at the 1984 Olympic Games in Los Angeles. She tied for 9th place in the qualification round and advanced to the final, placing 8th overall. Yamasaki retired the same year. After finishing her competitive career, Yamasaki began coaching as well as working as a sports writer. She became a training director for the Japan Gymnastics Association in 2004, a position she held until 2021, and directed the national group, which won a silver medal at the 2019 World Championships. In 1992, Yamasaki was part of a highly publicized mass wedding organized by the Unification Church. She broke with the church in 1993, claiming that it was abusive.
Morinari Watanabe (渡邊守成, Watanabe Morinari; born 21 February 1959) is a Japanese businessman who has served as…Morinari Watanabe (渡邊守成, Watanabe Morinari; born 21 February 1959) is a Japanese businessman who has served as president of the Fédération Internationale de Gymnastique since January 2017. Prior to his election in October 2016, he served as general-secretary of the Japan Gymnastics Association (2009–16) and was on multiple committees with the Japanese Olympic Committee. Watanabe is the ninth president of the FIG and its first Asian president. In October 2018, the International Olympic Committee elected him as a new member. He was also appointed an executive board member of Tokyo 2020. In September 2024, he was announced as one of seven candidates in the running to succeed Thomas Bach as IOC president. During the 144th IOC Session in March 2025, he got four votes, with Kirsty Coventry winning the election. Watanabe has faced criticism for his decisions regarding Russian athletes tied to the war in Ukraine. In March 2025, he was filmed embracing Nikita Nagorny, a Russian gymnast sanctioned by the UK, EU, and United States and a prominent supporter of the war, during a visit to Moscow. The International Gymnastics Federation (FIG) permitted Russian athletes with documented pro-war ties, including Angelina Melnikova, to compete under neutral status. In May 2026, Watanabe lifted all remaining restrictions on Russian and Belarusian athletes entirely.
Koji Sotomura (外村 康二, Sotomura Kōji; born 23 January 1958) is a Japanese former gymnast who won two bronze medals at…Koji Sotomura (外村 康二, Sotomura Kōji; born 23 January 1958) is a Japanese former gymnast who won two bronze medals at the 1984 Summer Olympics. His son Tetsuya Sotomura is a trampolinist and represents Japan at international competitions.
Kyoji Yamawaki (山脇 恭二, Yamawaki Kyōji; born September 17, 1957) is a former Japanese gymnast. He invented and named the…Kyoji Yamawaki (山脇 恭二, Yamawaki Kyōji; born September 17, 1957) is a former Japanese gymnast. He invented and named the skill on Horizontal bar known as the Yamawaki. Yamawaki competed at the 1984 Summer Olympics and won the bronze medal in the team final. He also won a bronze medal in the still rings event at the 1985 world championships
Shinji Morisue (森末 慎二, Morisue Shinji; born May 22, 1957) is a Japanese gymnast and Olympic champion. The parallel bar…Shinji Morisue (森末 慎二, Morisue Shinji; born May 22, 1957) is a Japanese gymnast and Olympic champion. The parallel bar skill Morisue is named after him.
Kōji Gushiken (具志堅 幸司, Gushiken Kōji) (born November 12, 1956, in Ōsaka) is an Olympic gymnast for Japan at the 1984…Kōji Gushiken (具志堅 幸司, Gushiken Kōji) (born November 12, 1956, in Ōsaka) is an Olympic gymnast for Japan at the 1984 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles, California, where he won a total number of five medals, including two gold. He broke an ankle in May 1985 which prevented him from training for 3 months and hindered his performances at the 1985 World Championships. Gushiken announced his retirement at the 1985 Chūnichi Cup. He currently coaches other Olympic contenders, including two-time Olympic individual all-around gold medallist Kōhei Uchimura.
Nobuyuki Kajitani (梶谷 信之, Kajitani Nobuyuki; born May 3, 1955 in Saito City, Miyazaki) is a Japanese former gymnast who…Nobuyuki Kajitani (梶谷 信之, Kajitani Nobuyuki; born May 3, 1955 in Saito City, Miyazaki) is a Japanese former gymnast who competed in the 1984 Summer Olympics. Kajitani is a graduate of the Nippon College of Physical Education.
Chieko Kikkawa (吉川 智恵子, Kikkawa Chieko; born 16 March 1955) is a Japanese gymnast. She competed in six events at the…Chieko Kikkawa (吉川 智恵子, Kikkawa Chieko; born 16 March 1955) is a Japanese gymnast. She competed in six events at the 1976 Summer Olympics.
Toshiko Miyamoto (宮本 敏子, Miyamoto Toshiko; born 4 January 1954) is a Japanese gymnast. She competed at the 1972 Summer…Toshiko Miyamoto (宮本 敏子, Miyamoto Toshiko; born 4 January 1954) is a Japanese gymnast. She competed at the 1972 Summer Olympics.
Hiroshi Kajiyama (梶山 広司, Kajiyama Hiroshi; born 13 June 1953) is a Japanese former gymnast who competed in the 1976…Hiroshi Kajiyama (梶山 広司, Kajiyama Hiroshi; born 13 June 1953) is a Japanese former gymnast who competed in the 1976 Summer Olympics.
Takako Hasegawa (長谷川たか子, Hasegawa Takako; born 1 January 1951) is a Japanese gymnast. She competed at the 1972 Summer…Takako Hasegawa (長谷川たか子, Hasegawa Takako; born 1 January 1951) is a Japanese gymnast. She competed at the 1972 Summer Olympics where she finished thirty-fifth in the individual all around.
Eiko Hirashima (平島栄子, Hirashima Eiko; born 7 October 1950) is a Japanese gymnast. She competed at the 1972 Summer…Eiko Hirashima (平島栄子, Hirashima Eiko; born 7 October 1950) is a Japanese gymnast. She competed at the 1972 Summer Olympics.
Kazue Hanyu (羽生 和永, Hanyū Kazue; born 8 September 1950) is a Japanese gymnast. She competed at the 1968 Summer Olympics…Kazue Hanyu (羽生 和永, Hanyū Kazue; born 8 September 1950) is a Japanese gymnast. She competed at the 1968 Summer Olympics and the 1972 Summer Olympics.
Nobue Yamazaki (山崎 信恵, Yamazaki Nobue; born 4 September 1950) is a Japanese gymnast. She competed in six events at the…Nobue Yamazaki (山崎 信恵, Yamazaki Nobue; born 4 September 1950) is a Japanese gymnast. She competed in six events at the 1976 Summer Olympics.
Shun Fujimoto (藤本 俊, Fujimoto Shun; born May 11, 1950) is a retired Japanese gymnast. He represented Japan at the 1976…Shun Fujimoto (藤本 俊, Fujimoto Shun; born May 11, 1950) is a retired Japanese gymnast. He represented Japan at the 1976 Summer Olympics in Montreal, where he won gold in the team competition. Fujimoto won fame by continuing to compete in the team event right after severely injuring his right knee during his floor exercise. He scored 9.5 on the pommel horse and 9.7 on the still rings with the badly damaged knee, dismounting from the rings from eight feet above ground and keeping his balance after landing on his feet. One source has described the scene thus: that he "raised his arms in a perfect finish before collapsing in agony". That account, however, is erroneous. Video of Fujimoto's rings routine, including the dismount and immediate aftermath, is easily accessible on the internet, and it is unambiguously clear that, despite the physical agony of performing his routine and landing, he did not collapse after completing his dismount. Instead, immediately upon his landing, as Fujimoto's knees bent to absorb the shock, his right knee started to give way, wobbling and almost collapsing. But he controlled his balance, taking a very slight hop on his left foot, bringing his feet together, straightening his legs and body to a fully upright position, and raising his arms to complete the landing posture. He then turned and walked from the apparatus, and down the steps from the competition platform. He was limping markedly, but made it back to his seat without ever collapsing. Nevertheless, the dismount aggravated his already serious injury, dislocating his broken kneecap and tearing ligaments in his right leg. Doctors ordered him to withdraw from further competition or risk permanent disability. One doctor stated: "How he managed to do somersaults and twists and land without collapsing in screams is beyond my comprehension." Fujimoto stated that he had not wanted to let his team down by revealing his injury. His completing of the pommel horse and rings events enabled the team to win gold, defeating the team from the Soviet Union by a narrow margin. Later, when asked whether he would do what he did again, he replied frankly, "No, I would not." Fujimoto's performing in spite of serious injury was humorously alluded to in The Simpsons episode, "Lisa's First Word". In 2017, Fujimoto was inducted into the International Gymnastics Hall of Fame.
Teruichi Okamura (岡村 輝一, Okamura Teruichi; born 27 May 1948) is a Japanese former gymnast who competed in the 1972…Teruichi Okamura (岡村 輝一, Okamura Teruichi; born 27 May 1948) is a Japanese former gymnast who competed in the 1972 Summer Olympics.
Eizo Kenmotsu (監物永三, Kenmotsu Eizō; born February 13, 1948) is a former Japanese artistic gymnast, who won seven world…Eizo Kenmotsu (監物永三, Kenmotsu Eizō; born February 13, 1948) is a former Japanese artistic gymnast, who won seven world titles and three Olympic gold medals between 1968 and 1979. In retirement, he became a leading Japanese coach. He also served as sports director of the Nippon Sport Science University and vice president of the Japan Gymnastics Association. In 2006, Kenmotsu was inducted into the International Gymnastics Hall of Fame. Kenmotsu was 20 years and 8 months old in October 1968 when he became the youngest Japanese artistic gymnast in history to win an Olympic gold medal after the team event finals at the 1968 Summer Olympics in Mexico City. He held on to that longstanding record for almost 48 years until recently when it was finally broken by Kenzō Shirai, who in August 2016 acquired the honour when only 19 years and 11 months old, at the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro–also after the team event finals. Coincidentally, they had both similarly won one other Olympic medal, each an individual event bronze–Kenmotsu on the horizontal bar and Shirai on the vault–at their respective first Olympic Games.
Mitsuo Tsukahara (塚原 光男 Tsukahara Mitsuo, born December 22, 1947) is a Japanese artistic gymnast. He was five times an…Mitsuo Tsukahara (塚原 光男 Tsukahara Mitsuo, born December 22, 1947) is a Japanese artistic gymnast. He was five times an Olympic Gold Medalist. He remained active in the sport after his retirement from competition. He served as vice president of the Japan Gymnastic Association. Tsukahara competed throughout the late 1960s and 1970s, retiring from gymnastics competition in 1978 after the World Championships. Winning five gold, one silver and three bronze medals, Tsukahara was an important contributor in Japan's win at the team competition in three consecutive Olympic Games: in 1968, 1972 and 1976. He married fellow gymnast Chieko Oda. He has remained connected to the gymnastics world, partly through his son Naoya Tsukahara, who was also a multi-medalist at the World Championships and Olympic Games throughout the late 1990s and who still competed as of 2014.
Sawao Katō (加藤 澤男, Katō Sawao; born October 11, 1946) is a Japanese former gymnast and one of the most successful…Sawao Katō (加藤 澤男, Katō Sawao; born October 11, 1946) is a Japanese former gymnast and one of the most successful Olympic athletes of all time. Between 1968 and 1976 he won twelve Olympic medals, including eight gold medals, making him the most successful Japanese Olympian by number of gold medals won.
Miyuki Matsuhisa-Hironaka (松久-広中 ミユキ, born August 15, 1945) is a retired Japanese artistic gymnast who competed at the…Miyuki Matsuhisa-Hironaka (松久-広中 ミユキ, born August 15, 1945) is a retired Japanese artistic gymnast who competed at the 1968, 1972 and 1976 Summer Olympics. She had her best results in 1968, when her team placed fourth and she shared ninth place on the balance beam.
Mitsuko Kandori (Japanese:香取光子; born 5 May 1943) is a Japanese gymnast. She competed in six events at the 1968 Summer…Mitsuko Kandori (Japanese:香取光子; born 5 May 1943) is a Japanese gymnast. She competed in six events at the 1968 Summer Olympics.
Toshiko Shirasu-Aihara (白須-相原 俊子, Shirasu-Aihara Toshiko; born June 3, 1939) is a retired Japanese gymnast. She…Toshiko Shirasu-Aihara (白須-相原 俊子, Shirasu-Aihara Toshiko; born June 3, 1939) is a retired Japanese gymnast. She competed in all artistic gymnastics events at the 1960 and 1964 Olympics and won a team bronze medal in 1964. Her best individual achievements were fourth places on the vault and uneven bars in 1964. Born Toshiko Shirasu, she changed her last name after marrying Nobuyuki Aihara, a fellow Olympic gymnast. Their son Yutaka Aihara won a bronze medal in gymnastics at the 1992 Olympics.
Takashi Mitsukuri (三栗 崇, Mitsukuri Takashi; born February 19, 1939) is a Japanese gymnast and Olympic champion.…Takashi Mitsukuri (三栗 崇, Mitsukuri Takashi; born February 19, 1939) is a Japanese gymnast and Olympic champion. Mitsukuri competed at the 1960 Summer Olympics in Rome where he received a gold medal in team combined exercises. At the 1964 Summer Olympics in Tokyo he again received a gold medal in team combined exercises with the Japanese team. Individually, he performed best on the pommel horse, finishing in fourth and sixth place in 1960 and 1964, respectively. Mitsukuri received a bronze medal in pommel horse at the 1962 World Artistic Gymnastics Championships, and Japan won the team competition. He received a bronze medal in horizontal bar at the 1966 World Artistic Gymnastics Championships, and Japan won the team competition again. His wife Taniko Nakamura-Mitsukuri is also a retired Olympic gymnast.
Shinichi Chiba (Japanese: 千葉 真一, Hepburn: Chiba Shin'ichi; born Sadaho Maeda; 22 January 1939 – 19 August 2021) IPA…Shinichi Chiba (Japanese: 千葉 真一, Hepburn: Chiba Shin'ichi; born Sadaho Maeda; 22 January 1939 – 19 August 2021) IPA: [tɕiꜜba ɕiɰ̃itɕi], known internationally as Sonny Chiba, was a Japanese actor and martial artist. Chiba was one of the first actors to achieve stardom through his skills in martial arts, initially in Japan and later to an international audience. Born in Fukuoka, Chiba played a variety of sports in high school, including baseball and volleyball. He also practiced gymnastics and participated at the National Sports Festival of Japan in his third year. When he was a university student, he learned martial arts, earning a black belt in Kyokushin Karate in 1965 and later receiving a fourth degree in 1984. Chiba's career began in the 1960s, when he starred in two tokusatsu superhero shows. In his first role, he replaced Susumu Wajima as the main character Kōtarō Ran/Seven Color Mask in Seven Color Mask (Nana-iro Kamen) in the second half of the series. However, his breakthrough role was in the 1974 film The Street Fighter. Before retiring, Chiba had also appeared in a number of English language American films, including Kill Bill: Volume 1 (2003) and The Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift (2006). Chiba died of COVID-19 complications at the hospital in Tokyo on 19 August 2021, at the age of 82.
Hiroko Tsuji (辻 宏子, Tsuji Hiroko; born November 29, 1938) is a retired Japanese gymnast. She competed in all artistic…Hiroko Tsuji (辻 宏子, Tsuji Hiroko; born November 29, 1938) is a retired Japanese gymnast. She competed in all artistic gymnastics events at the 1964 Olympics and won a team bronze medal. Her best individual achievement was 23rd place on the vault.
Haruhiro Yamashita (山下 治広, Yamashita Haruhiro; November 11, 1938 – June 19, 2026) was a Japanese gymnast, who competed…Haruhiro Yamashita (山下 治広, Yamashita Haruhiro; November 11, 1938 – June 19, 2026) was a Japanese gymnast, who competed in the 1964 Summer Olympics. He won two gold medals, in the vault and team combined exercises. After marriage he changed his last name from Yamashita to Matsuda (松田), adopting his aunt's surname, who took care of him as a child. In 1961, he graduated from Nippon Sport Science University, where in 1983 he became professor and later professor emeritus. In the early 1970s he was an assistant gymnastics coach under Roger Council at the Indiana State University. There he began his research on biorhythms. Yamashita also trained the national gymnastics team, at the 1976 Summer Olympics and at the Asian Games in 1990, and held senior positions with the Japan Gymnastics Association. In 2000 Yamashita was inducted into the International Gymnastics Hall of Fame. He was an honorary citizen of his native town of Uwajima. Yamashita died on June 19, 2026, at the age of 87.
Ginko Abukawa-Chiba (虻川-千葉 吟子, born Abukawa; February 25, 1938) is a retired Japanese gymnast. She competed in all…Ginko Abukawa-Chiba (虻川-千葉 吟子, born Abukawa; February 25, 1938) is a retired Japanese gymnast. She competed in all artistic gymnastics events at the 1960 and 1964 Olympics and won a team bronze medal in 1964. Her best individual achievement was tenth place on the vault in 1964.
Shuji Tsurumi (鶴見 修治, Tsurumi Shūji; born January 29, 1938) is a Japanese gymnast and Olympic champion. He was part of…Shuji Tsurumi (鶴見 修治, Tsurumi Shūji; born January 29, 1938) is a Japanese gymnast and Olympic champion. He was part of the first Japanese team that succeeded to win gold medals in the team event at the Summer Olympics (1960) and World Championships (1962). In 2008 he was inducted to the International Gymnastics Hall of Fame.
Kimiko Tsukada (塚田 紀美子, Tsukada Kimiko; born October 26, 1937) is a retired Japanese artistic gymnast. She placed…Kimiko Tsukada (塚田 紀美子, Tsukada Kimiko; born October 26, 1937) is a retired Japanese artistic gymnast. She placed fourth with the Japanese team at the 1960 Summer Olympics, while her best individual result was 15th place on uneven bars.
Yukio Endō (遠藤 幸雄, Endō Yukio; January 18, 1937 – March 25, 2009) was a Japanese artistic gymnast, Olympic champion and…Yukio Endō (遠藤 幸雄, Endō Yukio; January 18, 1937 – March 25, 2009) was a Japanese artistic gymnast, Olympic champion and world champion. He was part of the first Japanese team that succeeded to win gold medals in the team event at the Summer Olympics (1960) and World Championships (1962). In 1964 he won the first individual all-around Olympic gold medal for Japan. He was the flag bearer at the 1968 Summer Olympics.
Kiyoko Ono (小野 清子, Ono Kiyoko; 4 February 1936 – 13 March 2021) was a Japanese politician and gymnast. She competed at…Kiyoko Ono (小野 清子, Ono Kiyoko; 4 February 1936 – 13 March 2021) was a Japanese politician and gymnast. She competed at the 1960 and 1964 Olympics and won a team bronze medal in 1964.
Nobuyuki Aihara (相原 信行, Aihara Nobuyuki; December 16, 1934 – July 16, 2013) was a Japanese gymnast. He was the father…Nobuyuki Aihara (相原 信行, Aihara Nobuyuki; December 16, 1934 – July 16, 2013) was a Japanese gymnast. He was the father of Yutaka Aihara, also a gymnast. Nobuyuki competed at the 1956 Olympics and won a silver medal in floor exercise and a silver medal in the team competition. Four years later he won gold medals in these events. Aihara took up gymnastic at the age of 15 while studying at the Nippon Sport Science University. He was coached by his future teammate Masao Takemoto. In 1964 he married Toshiko Shirasu-Aihara, a fellow gymnast. Because of an injury he missed the Tokyo Olympics that year, and soon retired to become a gymnastics coach. In 1979 he founded the Aihara Gymnastics Club. Aihara died of pneumonia on July 16, 2013, at the age of 78.
Shizuko Sakashita (Japanese: 坂下 千津子, 8 December 1933 – 17 May 1972) was a Japanese gymnast. She competed in seven…Shizuko Sakashita (Japanese: 坂下 千津子, 8 December 1933 – 17 May 1972) was a Japanese gymnast. She competed in seven events at the 1956 Summer Olympics. Sakashita died in 1972 at the age of 38; the cause of death with suicide.
Kyoko Kubota (久保田 恭子, Kubota Kyōko; born 2 January 1933) is a Japanese gymnast. She competed in seven events at the…Kyoko Kubota (久保田 恭子, Kubota Kyōko; born 2 January 1933) is a Japanese gymnast. She competed in seven events at the 1956 Summer Olympics.
Masami Kubota (久保田正躬, Kubota Msami; born 6 December 1931) is a Japanese former gymnast who competed in the 1956 Summer…Masami Kubota (久保田正躬, Kubota Msami; born 6 December 1931) is a Japanese former gymnast who competed in the 1956 Summer Olympics.
Shinsaku Tsukawaki (塚脇伸作, Tsukawaki Shinsaku; 3 January 1931 – 15 September 1993) was a Japanese gymnast who competed…Shinsaku Tsukawaki (塚脇伸作, Tsukawaki Shinsaku; 3 January 1931 – 15 September 1993) was a Japanese gymnast who competed in the 1956 Summer Olympics.
Tetsumi Nabeya (鍋谷鐵巳, Nabeya Tetsuya; 2 January 1930 – 4 April 2010) was a Japanese gymnast. He competed in eight…Tetsumi Nabeya (鍋谷鐵巳, Nabeya Tetsuya; 2 January 1930 – 4 April 2010) was a Japanese gymnast. He competed in eight events at the 1952 Summer Olympics. His best result was 14th place in Floor Exercise and his worst result was 69th place in Rings. He achieved fifth place in the team all-around event. Nabeya died on 4 April 2010, at the age of 80.
Akira Kono (河野昭, Konō Akira; 11 September 1929 – 25 December 1995) was a Japanese gymnast who competed in the 1956…Akira Kono (河野昭, Konō Akira; 11 September 1929 – 25 December 1995) was a Japanese gymnast who competed in the 1956 Summer Olympics.
Tadao Uesako (上迫 忠夫, Uesako Tadao; 14 October 1921 – 20 October 1986) was a Japanese gymnast who competed in the 1952…Tadao Uesako (上迫 忠夫, Uesako Tadao; 14 October 1921 – 20 October 1986) was a Japanese gymnast who competed in the 1952 Summer Olympics.
Masao Takemoto (竹本正男, Takemoto Masao; September 29, 1919 – February 2, 2007) was a Japanese artistic gymnast who won…Masao Takemoto (竹本正男, Takemoto Masao; September 29, 1919 – February 2, 2007) was a Japanese artistic gymnast who won two world titles and seven Olympic medals. At the 1952 Summer Olympics he won the silver medal in the vault with a score of 19.150, which was 0.050 short of the gold medal. Two years later he became world champion in the floor exercise, sharing the first placed with Valentin Muratov; he also won a silver medal with the Japanese team and a bronze at the parallel bars. At the 1956 Summer Olympics Takemoto won three bronze medals: in the horizontal bar, parallel bars and rings; he also received a silver medal as part of the Japanese team. His main skills were on the floor exercise and he proved it once again at the 1958 World Artistic Gymnastics Championships, where he successfully defended his title; he also won silver medals in the vault and team event, as well as a bronze medal in the horizontal bar. At the 1960 Summer Olympics Takemoto won a team gold medal and placed second in the horizontal bar. Takemoto had a degree in physical education from Nippon Sport Science University and later coached the national gymnastics team. In 1997 he was inducted into the International Gymnastics Hall of Fame. He died from cholangiocarcinoma on 2 February 2007 at the age of 87 in Kanagawa.
Dokan Sone (曽根道貫, Sone Dōkan; born 30 October 1914 – 1992) was a Japanese gymnast. He competed in eight events at the…Dokan Sone (曽根道貫, Sone Dōkan; born 30 October 1914 – 1992) was a Japanese gymnast. He competed in eight events at the 1936 Summer Olympics.
Yoshio Miyake (三宅芳夫, Miyake Yoshio; 7 December 1913 – 26 April 1983) was a Japanese gymnast. He competed in eight…Yoshio Miyake (三宅芳夫, Miyake Yoshio; 7 December 1913 – 26 April 1983) was a Japanese gymnast. He competed in eight events at the 1936 Summer Olympics.
