Masako Shinpo

Masako Shinpo was the daughter of a carpenter. On her mother’s advice she joined her sister’s athletics club and excelled in sprinting and jumping. In 1930 she enrolled in the Japan Women’s Sports College. Because she gained weight, she could not improve her performance in the long jump and tried javelin throwing. In the following year, she broke Kinue Hitomi’s record with a throw of 38.20 metres and was selected for the 1932 Olympics, where she improved the record again, placing fourth with 39.07. Two years later she toured Europe, competing in the 4th Women’s World Games, only to place fourth again, but in a meet in Poland she managed to throw beyond the 40 metre mark, setting another national record of 40.32. Domestically, Shinpo won three consecutive titles at the Japan Athletics Championships from 1931-33.

Shinpo later moved to Osaka, working as a teacher at what is now the Osaka University of Education. Still competing in 1946, she won her fourth and last national title. After World War II she served at the Board of Education and was appointed a professor at Otani Women’s University. She held various positions in regional athletics, served as a judge at the 1964 Tokyo Olympics and became chairman of the alumni association of the Japan Women’s College of Physical Education. She also engaged in teaching folk dance. For her contributions to physical education she received the Medal of Honor of the 5th Order.

Personal Best: JT - 40.32 (1934).