Masayoshi Uchida

Masayoshi Uchida’s parents were prominent in his hometown of Hamamatsu, his father as an industrialist and his mother as a gynecologist. Uchida was introduced to swimming by his brother at an early age and joined the Hamamatsu Naka Swimming Club while attending the local high school. He was also active in running marathons and judo. His first success came in 1914, winning the 400 metre freestyle at a high school tournament. In 1916, he and his brother were among the founders of the Hamana Bay Swimming Association. In the same year, Masayoshi won four titles (100 yds, 220 yds, 440 yds, and 1 mile freestyle) at the national championships at Iwabuchi, a record that still stands as of 2020.

In 1917, Uchida represented Japan at the 3rd Far Eastern Games held in Tokyo, contributing to Japan’s sweep by winning the 220 yds and 880 yds, and was runner-up in the 100 yds. The Japan Sports Association did not take part in the 4th Far Eastern Games in Manila, but Uchida participated nevertheless representing the rival organization Japan Youth Sports Club. At the 1920 Olympics at Antwerpen the traditional Japanese style of freestyle swimming proved to be outdated and the Japanese swimmers failed to win a medal.

After returning from Europe, Uchida became aware that training reforms and using the international style of crawl stroke were necessary to be competitive on an international level. He gave up his active career and established a swimming club at Hokkaido Imperial University to develop and promote swimming in Hokkaido. In 1921, he graduated from the Faculty of Agriculture and worked successively for a bank, a fish farm, and a seedling nursery.

In 1932, Uchida emigrated to Argentina running a farm, and did not return until 1941. Subsequently he was employed as an engineer for saltwater treatment. He also cooperated with the Imperial Japanese Army, supporting independence movements against the British in Burma. In 1944, Uchida was appointed commander of New Guinea and died in the Sarmi mountains on the northwest coast of the island, where the remnants of the Japanese army had to retreat.