Tommy Kono

American weightlifter (1930–2016)

Tamio "Tommy" Kono (June 27, 1930 – April 24, 2016) was an American weightlifter in the 1950s and 1960s. Kono was the only Olympic weightlifter in history to have set world records in four different weight classes:[1] lightweight (149 pounds or 67.5 kilograms), middleweight (165 lb or 75 kg), light-heavyweight (182 lb or 82.5 kg), and middle-heavyweight (198 lb or 90 kg).

Tommy Kono
Tommy Kono in 2015
Personal information
NationalityAmerican
Born(1930-06-27)June 27, 1930
Sacramento, California, U.S.
DiedApril 24, 2016(2016-04-24) (aged 85)
Honolulu, Hawaii, U.S.
ResidenceUnited States Hawaii
Sport
CountryUSA
SportOlympic weightlifting
Event(s)Clean and press
Snatch
Clean and jerk
Turned pro1952
Retired1964
Achievements and titles
World finals1953 gold medal
1954 gold medal
1955 gold medal
1957 gold medal
1958 gold medal
1959 gold medal
Olympic finals1952 gold medal
1956 gold medal
1960 silver medal
Medal record
Men's weightlifting
Representing the  United States
Olympic Games
Gold medal – first place 1952 Helsinki -67.5 kg
Gold medal – first place 1956 Melbourne -82.5 kg
Silver medal – second place 1960 Rome -75 kg
World Weightlifting Championships
Gold medal – first place 1953 Stockholm -75kg
Gold medal – first place 1954 Vienna -82.5kg
Gold medal – first place 1955 Munich -82.5kg
Gold medal – first place 1957 Teheran -75kg
Gold medal – first place 1958 Stockholm -75kg
Gold medal – first place 1959 Warsaw -75kg
Bronze medal – third place 1961 Vienna -82.5kg
Silver medal – second place 1962 Budapest -82.5kg
Pan American Games
Gold medal – first place 1955 Mexico City -82.5kg
Gold medal – first place 1959 Chicago -75kg
Gold medal – first place 1963 Sao Paulo -82.5kg

In 1993 Kono was elected to the International Weightlifting Federation Hall of Fame.[2] Kono was also an inductee to the Association of Oldetime Barbell and Strongmen (A.O.B.S.) Hall of Fame.

Kono died on April 24, 2016 in Honolulu, Hawaii from complications of liver disease, aged 85.[3]

References

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  1. "HickokSports.com Sports Biographies: Kono, "Tommy"". Archived from the original on 2013-01-25. Retrieved 2007-10-12.
  2. "Weightlifting Hall of Fame". International Weightlifting Federation. Archived from the original on 2008-09-13. Retrieved 2008-08-07.
  3. Olympic weightlifter Kono dies at 85

Other websites

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