Kōkichi Tsuburaya

Olympic medal record Men's Athletics Competitor for  Japan Bronze 1964 Tokyo Marathon

Kōkichi Tsuburaya (円谷 幸吉, Tsuburaya Kōkichi) (born Kokichi Tsumuraya (円谷 幸吉, Tsumuraya Kōkichi); May 13, 1940 – January 9, 1968, Sukagawa, Fukushima) was a Japanese athlete who competed mainly as a marathoner. Kokichi was also a 1st lieutenant in the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force.

Running career

He competed for Japan in the 1964 Summer Olympics held in Tokyo, Japan, where he won the bronze medal when he was overtaken within the final 100 meters by Basil Heatley of the UK. Tsuburaya was mortified by the loss to Heatley, saying to fellow marathoner Kenji Kimihara, "I committed an inexcusable blunder in front of the Japanese people. I have to make amends by running and hoisting the Hinomaru in the next Olympics, in Mexico".^[2]

Shortly after the Tokyo Olympics, Kokichi suffered from an ongoing back problem, known as lumbago. On January 9, 1968, he committed suicide by slashing his wrist in his dormitory room where he had stayed during his training period for the Mexico City Olympics.^[3]

In his suicide note, he paid thanks to his parents, siblings and trainers for their contributions, urged his fellow runners to do well, and ended the note (please note this is informal translation): "I am too exhausted to run any more. Please forgive me. I'm sorry for causing my parents concern and worry, but this is for the best. Thank you very much for everything you have done for me."^[4] He was twenty-seven years old.

References