A pioneering Japanese athlete and journalist who excelled in triple jump and long jump, earning Olympic medals and later becoming a respected sports writer.
As of 2020, Chhei Nambu holds the distinction of being the only person to have held world records in both the long jump and the triple jump, cementing his place as one of the most remarkable athletes in track and field history. Born on May 27, 1904, in Japan, Nambu's phenomenal athletic career spanned decades, leaving an indelible mark on the sport.
Nambu's first recorded achievements date back to the mid-1920s. He made his Olympic debut at the 1928 Summer Olympics in Amsterdam, participating in three events. Although he didn't take home a medal, his fourth-place finish in the triple jump hinted at the greatness that was to come. His countryman Mikio Oda's gold medal in the same event only fueled Nambu's determination.
Nambu's real breakthrough came in 1931, when he improved his Japanese record multiple times in the long jump. On July 27, 1931, he achieved a groundbreaking long jump of 7.98m, just two centimeters shy of the 8m mark, setting a new world record. This remarkable feat stood as an Asian record until 1970. A year later, at the Los Angeles Games, Nambu took home the gold medal in the triple jump, setting a world record of 15.72m in the process. This made him the first athlete to hold world records in both horizontal jumps simultaneously.
Nambu was not only a phenomenal jumper but also an accomplished sprinter. He won the 100m race at the 1930 and 1933 Japanese Championships and set a Japanese record at 10.6 seconds in 1931. After retiring from competitions, Nambu went on to become a renowned sports journalist for Mainichi Shimbun and remained active in sports, serving as head coach for the Japanese Athletics Association and manager of the national team at the 1964 Tokyo Olympics.
In 1992, Nambu was awarded the Olympic Order in silver by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) in recognition of his outstanding contributions to the sport. He passed away on July 23, 1997, at the age of 93, due to pneumonia, leaving behind a rich legacy that continues to inspire generations of athletes.
Chhei Nambu's remarkable athletic career and subsequent contributions to the sport have solidified his position as one of the most iconic figures in Japanese athletics. His world records, Olympic medals, and dedication to promoting the sport have left an indelible mark on the track and field community.
Born in 1902
Led the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, flying the lead plane and personally bombing the USS Arizona, a pivotal event in World War II.
