Tamio Kono - Bodybuilder, Record Setter and Olympic Winner

 Tamio Kono was born June 27, 1930 in Sacramento, California. As a Japanese American, Kono broke all stereotypes in the sport of weight lifting. Although there were some setbacks in Kono's life (like only being five feet, six inches), it was through these trials that he was able to find the sport of weightlifting. He set many records during his career which spanned in the 1950's through the 60's. An amazing feat accomplished by Kono was his ability to compete in 4 different weight classes. Even today, he is the only weight lifter to have set world records in four different weight classes, something that was unheard during his time. Kono's claim to fame was his performances in the Olympics, as he gained popularity through his accomplishments. He went on to set 22 world records and six Olympic records. Other notable things was him being a bodybuilder, winning Mr. Universe title in 1955 and 1957.

Kono went on to win a gold medal at both the 1952 and 1956 Olympic games. Although he took home a silver at the 1960 games, his status in the Hall of Fame was cemented eternally. As noted earlier, Kono set records in 4 weight classes; including lightweight, middle weight, light-heavyweight, and middle-weight. Also included on his resume was being the world champion from 1953 to 1959 and Pan-Am games champion in 3 separate years. He is the only two-division Olympic champion in weightlifting history. He won the lightweight (148 pounds) title at Helsinki, Finland in 1952 and the light heavyweight (181 pounds) crown in 1956 at Melbourne, Australia.

Tamio Kono displayed strength throughout his life and was able to overcome his setbacks. Because Kono was of Japanese decent, he faced many hardships growing up. To begin, he was placed in an internment camp during World War II, yet it was at the camp that he was introduced to weight lifting, As an Asian American, it is nice to see something great come out of a rough time that was the internment camps. Also, Kono had asthma, another setback he would not let stop him from his dreams. It is ironic that Kono would want to get into weightlifting which requires much heavy lifting and breathing. All his lift, Tamio Kono showed a resilience to become the best at what he did.

In closing, you can really see how strong of a person Tamio Kono was during his life. Not only did he win gold medals on the biggest stage of the world, but he also competed in different weight divisions. He faced trials and tribulations through the internment camps and his asthma, yet he did not let those things slow him down. All of Kono's work paid off when he was inducted to the International Weightlifting Federation Hall of Fame in 1993. From a boy in an internment camp with Asthma to a hall of fame weight lifting is quite an amazing accomplishment and story. After moving to Hawaii, Kono continues to give back to his community and held weightlifting work shops to this day. 

Submitted by: Lauren Fukuzawa