Yonetaro Nakazawa

Yonetaro Nakazawa enrolled in the Japan Gymnastics School (later Nippon Sport Science University) and eventually graduated from Tokyo Higher Normal School. In 1922 he set his first national record in the pole vault with a height of 3.33 metres at the Japan Athletics Championships. In the high jump, he jumped 1.57 metres to become champion, tied with three other jumpers. At the 1928 national championships he achieved his last of several national records, clearing 3.91 in the pole vault and winning his fourth and last title in this event. At the Amsterdam Olympics, he served as the flagbearer of the Japanese team at the Opening Ceremony.

Later Nakazawa was appointed a professor at the Osaka University of Commerce. After World War II, he joined the staff of what was then the Kishiwada City School of Commerce, focusing on industrial and sports education. As councilor for Namisho Gakuen School, with Kenkichi Oshima, Nakazawa was instrumental for the establishment of the Osaka University of Physical Education in 1965. He also had a keen interest in the research of industrial history. After the 1961 local elections, he became mayor of the city of Kishiwada as well as district administrator for the Kinki region. He served as mayor for three terms until 1973 and was later awarded the title of honorary citizen.

Personal Bests: PV – 3.96 (1928); Dec – 5147 (1927).