Takanori Kono

Biographical information

RolesCompeted in Olympic Games
SexMale
Full nameTakanori•Kono
Used nameTakanori•Kono
Original name河野•孝典
Born7 March 1969 in Nozawaonsen, Nagano (JPN)
Measurements175 cm / 63 kg
AffiliationsNozawa Onsen Ski Club, Nagano
NOC Japan
Medals OG
Gold 2
Silver 1
Bronze 0
Total 3

Biography

Takanori Kono, along with teammate Kenji Ogiwara, has a special place in Japanese sporting history as the first winners of more than one Olympic Winter Games gold medal. After graduating from high school he spent time in training in Norway before his promotion to the senior Japanese team in 1989-90. He made the Japanese roster for the 1991 World Championships and became a vital member of the national team as they began a golden period in which they were unbeaten at major championships between 1992 and 1995. Kono collected two Olympic and two world titles as a team member during this era and claimed silver in the individual 15 km at the Lillehammer Winter Games. He registered only one victory on the World Cup circuit but that continued his affinity with Norway as it came in arguably the most prestigious event on the tour, the Holmenkollen in Oslo, in 1993. Apart from this solitary victory he also recorded another 11 top three finishes and placed second in the overall standings in 1993-94. Kono left the sport at the comparatively young age of 26 but later returned as a coach.

Results

Games Discipline (Sport) / Event NOC / Team Pos Medal As
1992 Winter Olympics Nordic Combined (Skiing) JPN Takanori Kono
Team, Men (Olympic) Japan 1 Gold
Individual, Men (Olympic) 19
1994 Winter Olympics Nordic Combined (Skiing) JPN Takanori Kono
Team, Men (Olympic) Japan 1 Gold
Individual, Men (Olympic) 2 Silver

Special Notes