Yoshinori Sakai
Biographical information
| Roles | Other |
|---|---|
| Sex | Male |
| Full name | Yoshinori•Sakai |
| Used name | Yoshinori•Sakai |
| Original name | 坂井•義則 |
| Born | 6 August 1945 in Miyoshi, Hiroshima (JPN) |
| Died | 10 September 2014 |
| Affiliations | Waseda University |
| NOC |  Japan |
Biography
Yoshinori Sakai was the final torch bearer who lit the Olympic Flame at the 1964 Tokyo Opening Ceremony. Sakai was chosen as a top athlete and he had also been born on the outskirts of Hiroshima on the day the atomic bomb immolated that city. Sakai won the 1966 Japanese title in the 400 metres and won a gold medal in the 4x400 relay and a silver in the 400 metres at the 1966 Asian Games. He later became a journalist and sports producer with the Fuji Television Network.
Personal Best: 400 – 47.4 (1966).
Other participations
| Games | Role | NOC | As | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1964 Summer Olympics | Other | JPN |
Yoshinori Sakai |
Special Notes
- Torchbearer within the Olympic Stadium at the Opening Ceremony of the 1964 Summer Olympics (Lit flame)
- Listed in Olympians Who Won a Medal at the Asian Games (1–1–0 1966 Bangkok ATH gold: 4×400 m relay, silver: 400 m)