Hiroshi Negami

Hiroshi Negami started competitive swimming in elementary school and continued during high school. He enrolled in Rikkyo University in 1931 and claimed the national title in the 400 metre frestyle in 1934.

In 1935 Negami set a national record of 4:45.2 at the Japan-USA meet, beaten only by Jack Medica. At the same meeting he defeated Medica in the 1,500 free in a close battle and was a member of the Japanese 4x200 m freestyle relay team that set a world record of 8:52.2. In addition, he took the title at the Japanese Championships in the 1,500. Negami was thus selected to represent Japan at the 1936 Berlin Olympics, but he seems to have been past his prime, placing only fifth in the 400, one of the few Japanese swimmers missing a medal.

After World War II, Negami was the manager of the Japanese women’s swim team at the 1956 Melbourne Olympics. In 1961, he was named President of the Japan Swimming Federation.