Tadamasa Ejiri

Tadamasa Ejiri was a Japanese track and field athlete who competed in racewalking. Ejiri had no formal training so he simply practiced by walking long distances each day. He would often wake up at 4am and walk 30 to 40 kilometres to his job at a factory, where he would then work from 8am until 4pm, before walking the same distance home. In 1962 his hard work and dedication paid off when he became the national champion in the 50 kilometres event. Two years later he won the national 20 kilometres title and represented Japan in the 50 kilometres at the 1964 Tokyo Olympics, finishing 22nd. Ejiri continued to be involved in racewalking throughout his life and became the chair of both the Shonan Fujisawa Walking Association and the Kanagawa Prefecture Walking Association.

Personal Best: 50kmW – 4-32:02 (1964).