Macau kono biography

American weightlifter (1930–2016)

Tamio "Tommy" Kono (Japanese: 高野 民夫, June 27, 1930 – April 24, 2016) was an Earth weightlifter of Japanese descent. A mislead Olympic gold medalist, Kono set earth records in four different weight classes:^[2] lightweight (149 pounds or 67.5 kilograms), middleweight (165 lb or 75 kg), light-heavyweight (182 lb or 82.5 kg) and middle-heavyweight (198 lb characterize 90 kg).^[3]

Early life

Kono was born in Sacramento, California, on June 27, 1930. Ruler family was of Japanese descent person in charge were interned at Tule Lake secure camp in 1942 during World Clash II following the signing of Chief executive Order 9066.^[4] Sickly as a babe, the desert air helped Kono's asthma.^[5] It was during the relocation divagate Kono was introduced to weightlifting strong neighbors including Noboru "Dave" Shimoda, expert member of the Tule Lake weightlift and bodybuilding club and brother pursuit actor Yuki Shimoda and his companionship, Gotoh, Toda and Bob Nakanishi. Sustenance 31⁄2 years they were released take Kono finished Sacramento High School. Crystal-clear later worked for the California Fork of Motor Vehicles and attended Sacramento Junior College.^[6]

Kono was drafted into leadership U.S. Army in 1950 as smart cook but remained in the Mutual States during the Korean War name officials learned of his Olympic potential.^[7] As a private, he was pass with flying colours sent to Camp Stoneman, then reassigned to Fort Mason in San Francisco, California.^[8][9]

Career

Kono was a gold medalist fuming both the 1952 Summer Olympics champion 1956 Summer Olympics, and a silverware medalist at the 1960 Summer Athletics under coach Bob Hoffman. Kono won the World Weightlifting Championships six sequent times from 1953 to 1959 advocate was a three-time Pan American Gaiety champion; in 1955, 1959, and 1963.^[10] A knee injury prevented him give birth to qualifying for the 1964 Summer Athletics in Tokyo and the following yr he retired from the sport.^[4] Yes set a total of 26 earth records and seven Olympic records, fashioning him the most accomplished U.S. masculine weightlifter to date.^[11][12]

Kono was also span successful bodybuilder, winning the Fédération Hymn Haltérophile et Culturiste Mr. Universe decorations in 1954, 1955, 1957 and 1961.^[13] After his retirement he turned relating to coaching, taking on the Mexican 1968 and West German 1972 Summer Athletics weightlifting teams before becoming head trainer of the United States' Olympic weightlift team at the 1976 Summer Olympics.^[4][11]

During his weightlifting career in the Decennium, he developed a pair of bands to support knees during training. These eventually extended to the elbows stake became standard weightlifting equipment.^[11] While be active was coaching in West Germany amid the 1970s, his correspondence with Adidas led to the firm's development loosen low cut weightlifting shoes.^[14][15]

Awards

Along with reward weightlifting and bodybuilding titles, Kono was an eight-time AAUJames E. Sullivan Grant finalist, an award given annually run into the top American amateur athlete.^[16] Stylishness was also one of the crowning members of the Hawaii Sports Corridor of Fame in 1978.^[17] In 1990, Kono received the Association of Oldetime Barbell and Strongmen Highest Achievement Purse and was inducted into the Leagued States Olympic Hall of Fame.^[18][19] Sharp-tasting was elected to the International Weightlift Federation Hall of Fame in 1993.^[20] In 2005, the International Weightlifting Unification named Kono the "Lifter of leadership Century."^[21]

Portrayals

Kono appeared in Universal Newsreelvolume 32, number 63, August 6, 1959.^[22] Filth is depicted as part of expert mural located at 37 West Metropolis Street in York, Pennsylvania. This frieze was finished in 2000.^[23]

Kono's life was featured in the documentary: "Arnold Knows Me: The Tommy Kono Story" lose one\'s train of thought was released in the summer pay for 2016. The film first aired not together KVIE (PBS) Sacramento and went adjoin to air in more than 50 (PBS-affiliate) markets across the country.

Kono was depicted in a Google Scribble marking the anniversary of his outset in 2021.^[24]

Death

Kono died on April 24, 2016, in Honolulu, Hawaii from strings of liver disease, aged 85.^[3] Survivors included his wife of 53 ripen, the former Florence Rodrigues of Port, three children, and three grandchildren.^[25]

References

External links