Born: 1907 (Okayama City, Japan)
Died: 1931
Biography:
Kinue Hitomi was a Japanese track and field athlete who made a significant impact in the world of sports during the 1920s and 1930s. Born on January 1, 1907, in what is now part of Okayama City, Hitomi became a trailblazer in women’s athletics, setting multiple world records and becoming the first Japanese woman to win an Olympic medal. Her achievements not only showcased her incredible talent and determination but also opened doors for future generations of female athletes.
In November 1923, at the age of 16, Hitomi set an unofficial national record of 4 meters and 67 centimeters in the long jump event during the 2nd Okayama Prefectural Women’s Games. This was just a glimpse of the incredible athletic prowess she possessed. In April 1924, Hitomi enrolled in the Japan Women’s College of Physical Education, nurturing her passion for sports and further honing her skills.
Returning to Okayama in October 1924, Hitomi participated in the 3rd Okayama Prefectural Women’s Games, where she astonished spectators with an unofficial world record of 10 meters and 33 centimeters in the triple jump event. Demonstrating her exceptional abilities, she surpassed this record the following month at the 1924 Meiji Shrine Games in Tokyo, achieving a remarkable distance of 11 meters and 35 centimeters. But Hitomi’s triumphs didn’t stop there – she also set an unofficial world record for the Javelin throw, reaching an impressive distance of 26 meters and 37 centimeters.
The year 1925 proved to be another triumphant one for Hitomi. In the 4th Osaka Games held in October, she claimed first place in the 50 meters event, leaving her competitors in awe. Additionally, she once again surpassed her previous world record in the triple jump, achieving an outstanding distance of 11 meters and 62 centimeters. Hitomi’s dominance continued at the 1925 Meiji Shrine Games in Tokyo, as she emerged victorious in both the 50 meters event and the triple jump, solidifying her reputation as a force to be reckoned with in the world of athletics.
In April 1926, Hitomi began working for the Osaka Mainichi Shimbun newspaper while continuing to excel in her athletic pursuits. In May of that same year, she participated in the 3rd Women’s Olympics held by the newspaper at Miyoshino, where she set new unofficial national records in the long jump (5 meters and 6 centimeters), shot put (10 meters and 39 centimeters), and 100-meter hurdles (15.4 seconds). Notably, Hitomi’s exceptional performances drew the attention of the public and cemented her status as a national sports icon.
The Tokyo Mainichi Shimbun newspaper sponsored a competition in June 1926, where Hitomi raised the bar once again. She established new unofficial national records in the long jump, leaping an astonishing distance of 5 meters and 75 centimeters, and in the 4×100 meters relay, achieving a stunning time of 52.2 seconds. These remarkable achievements further solidified Hitomi’s position as one of Japan’s premier athletes.
In August 1926, Hitomi’s journey took her to the 2èmes Jeux mondiaux féminins FSFI games in Gothenburg, Sweden. She was the sole Japanese female athlete chosen to attend the games, showcasing the esteem in which she was held. Hitomi embarked on this challenging trip alone, traveling by the Trans-Siberian Railway to Moscow, where a reporter from the Mainichi Shimbun met her and accompanied her to Sweden. Competing in a total of six events, Hitomi’s incredible talent shone through as she received a gold medal for the long jump, setting a new official world record with a distance of 5 meters and 50 centimeters. Additionally, she earned a gold medal in the standing long jump (2 meters and 49 centimeters), a silver medal in the discus throw (32 meters and 61 centimeters), and a bronze medal in the 100-yard dash (in 12.0 seconds). Her outstanding performances earned her an honorary prize from Alice Milliat, the president of Fédération Sportive Féminine Internationale (FSFI), for scoring the most individual points at 15.
In May 1927, at the 3rd Women’s Athletic Meet at Meiji Shrine in Tokyo, Hitomi set two new unofficial world records, completing the 200-meter run in 26.1 seconds and achieving an exceptional distance in the long jump. Her remarkable athleticism continued to inspire and captivate audiences.
Tragically, Kinue Hitomi’s career was cut short by her untimely death at the age of 24 on August 2, 1931. Despite her short life, she left an indelible mark on the world of sports and women’s athletics in Japan. Her achievements opened doors for future generations of Japanese female athletes and served as a testament to the power of determination, skill, and perseverance.
Awards:
– Gold Medal, Long Jump, 2èmes Jeux mondiaux féminins FSFI (1926)
– Gold Medal, Standing Long Jump, 2èmes Jeux mondiaux féminins FSFI (1926)
– Silver Medal, Discus Throw, 2èmes Jeux mondiaux féminins FSFI (1926)
– Bronze Medal, 100-Yard Dash, 2èmes Jeux mondiaux féminins FSFI (1926)