Yoshinori Sakai

Biographical information

RolesOther
SexMale
Full nameYoshinori•Sakai
Used nameYoshinori•Sakai
Original name坂井•義則
Born6 August 1945 in Miyoshi, Hiroshima (JPN)
Died10 September 2014
AffiliationsWaseda University
NOC Japan

Biography

Yoshinori Sakai was the final torch bearer who lit the Olympic Flame at the 1964 Tokyo Opening Ceremony. Sakai was chosen as a top athlete and he had also been born on the outskirts of Hiroshima on the day the atomic bomb immolated that city. Sakai won the 1966 Japanese title in the 400 metres and won a gold medal in the 4x400 relay and a silver in the 400 metres at the 1966 Asian Games. He later became a journalist and sports producer with the Fuji Television Network.

Personal Best: 400 – 47.4 (1966).

Other participations

Games Role NOC As
1964 Summer Olympics Other JPN Yoshinori Sakai

Special Notes