Yasuko Matsuda

Yasuko Matsuda had a personal best of 14.19 metres in the shot put, well below the 14.60 needed to ensure qualification for the 1960 Roma Olympics. At the Olympic trials in May 1960, however, Matsuda threw 14.75 metres to become the first woman from Japan to qualify for the shot put at the Olympic Games. At the Roma Games she finished 15th with a best throw of 13.51 metres. Two years later she won silver at the 1962 Asian Games in Jakarta, finishing second to compatriot Seiko Obonai. Matsuda was also the national shot put champion in 1959 and 1962. After retiring from athletics she worked in hair and beauty, a career she had dreamt of since her schooldays.

Personal Best: SP – 14.75 (1960).