Shiro Hashizume

Shiro Hashizume took up swimming as a schoolboy and honed his skills during World War II. After the conflict, he entered Nihon University in 1946 and swam for their team through 1951, when he earned his law degree. A specialist in the 1,500 metres freestyle, he broke the world record in that event on 16 August 1949, but his mark was bettered later in the day by his rival and compatriot Hironoshin Furuhashi.

Japan was not invited to the 1948 London Olympics, but Hashizume continued competing and won national championships in his preferred event in 1951 and 1952, as well as in the 400 metres freestyle in the latter year. This ensured him a place on the Japanese team when it was allowed to compete again at the 1952 Helsinki Games, and Hashizume took the silver medal in the 1,500 metres freestyle, behind Ford Konno of the United States.

Having worked for an insurance company after his graduation, he retired from active competition in 1955 and founded his own swimming club, where he worked as a coach. He also held several administrative positions at the national level in his sport. He was made a member of the International Swimming Hall of Fame in 1992.