Nam Sung-Yong

As a public school student Nam achieved his first success as a long-distance runner in 1924. After graduation from high school in Korea he went on to attend Meiji University in Tokyo, eventually earning a bachelor’s degree in philosophy.

Beginning in 1932, Nam had good results at a number of national and international marathons including a second place at the Japan Athletics Championships behind non-Olympian Kozo Kusunoki. In 1935-37, Nam competed for Meiji in the Hakone Ekiden. At the 1936 Berlin Olympics he won the bronze medal in the marathon which was, however, overshadowed by Son Gi-Jeong’s gold medal.

After World War II, Nam competed in the 1947 Boston Marathon, placing 12th at the age of 34. He later served as a track & field coach and director of the Korea Athletics Federation and was appointed professor at Chonnam National University. Like Son, he was awarded the Moran Medal of Civil Merit.

Personal Best: Mar – 2-31:42 (1936).