Kichizo Sasaki

Biographical information

RolesCompeted in Olympic Games • Non-starter
SexMale
Full nameKichizo•Sasaki
Used nameKichizo•Sasaki
Original name佐々木•吉蔵
Born10 March 1912 in Kosaka, Akita (JPN)
Died23 January 1983 in ? (JPN)
AffiliationsTokyo Higher Normal School, Bunkyo (JPN)
NOC Japan

Biography

After graduating from high school in 1929, Kichizo Sasaki worked for the Kosaka mine, at that time one of the largest copper, lead, and zinc mines in Japan. In the same year, he won the men’s 100 metres at the Meiji Shrine Games, until 1943 one of the country’s major sport events. In 1930, he enrolled in the Tokyo Higher Normal School and took the title in the 200 metres at the Japan Athletics Championships. In 1931 he ran the second leg for a student team in a 4x100 relay, setting a national record of 41.6. In addition, Sasaki was a member of the victorious relay team at the 1931 and 1938 national championships. He missed the 1932 Olympics due to an injury but took part four years later in the 100 metres.

Subsequently, Sasaki attended the Faculty of Law of the Chuo University. After World War II, he was appointed professor at Tokyo Gakugei University in 1953. Later he worked in the Ministry of Education and became the director of the Tokyo Olympics Preparation Office in 1962. At the Tokyo Olympics, he served as the starter in the track events including the 100 metre final and was called the “God of Starters.”

Personal Bests: 100 – 10.6 (1933); 200 – 21.4 (1933).

Results

Games Discipline (Sport) / Event NOC / Team Pos Medal As
1932 Summer Olympics Athletics JPN Kichizo Sasaki
100 metres, Men (Olympic) DNS
1936 Summer Olympics Athletics JPN Kichizo Sasaki
100 metres, Men (Olympic) 6 h3 r2/4
4 × 100 metres Relay, Men (Olympic) Japan DNS