Keiichi Suzuki

During his childhood Keiichi Suzuki learned to skate on frozen ponds and lakes near to his hometown. Whilst at school Suzuki began to play ice hockey but soon switched to speed skating after winning several local competitions. At university he continued to skate, becoming the Japanese champion in the 500 and 1,500 metres in both 1960 and 1961. In 1964 he made his first of three appearances at the Olympics, finishing fifth in the 500 metres at the Innsbruck Games. He returned to the Games four years later in Grenoble where he came eighth in the same event. That same year he had better success at the Winter Universiade, winning silver in the 500 metres.

In March 1969 Suzuki set his first of two world records in the 500 metres with 39.2 seconds on the ice rink in Inzell, West Germany. The following March he returned to the same venue where he broke the record again, this time skating the 500 metres in 38.71 seconds. Also in 1970 he won silver in the 500 metres at the World Sprint Speed Skating Championships in West Allis, Wisconsin. In 1972 Suzuki skated at his third and final Olympics, placing 19th in the 500 metres at the Sapporo Games. He also had the honour of taking the athletes’ oath at the Games.

Following his retirement Suzuki became a skating coach, eventually coaching the Japanese team at the 2006 Torino Olympics. That same year he also became the director of the Japanese Skating Federation, before serving as the organisations Vice-President.

Personal Bests: 500 – 38.50 (1970); 1000 – 1:21.3 (1970); 1500 – 2:11.9 (1964); 5000 – 8:33.1 (?); 10000 – 18:06.3 (1966).