Yoshiro Asakuma

Yoshiro Asakuma started his career as a high jumper while attending the Japan Sports Association Gymnastics Higher Normal School (later Nippon Sport Science University). In 1933, he enrolled in the Meiji University and graduated four years later. In 1934 he was the first Japanese to better the 2.00 metre barrier in the high jump, setting the record at a Japan-US meeting. One year later he improved his record to 2.01. At the 1936 Berlin Olympics Asakuma placed a disappointing sixth. At the last Far Eastern Games in 1934 he was runner-up behind 1932 Olympic silver medalist Simeon Toribio from the Philippines but in 1935 Asakuma won at the International University Games. Domestically, Asakuma won the high jump at the 1934 and 1935 Japan Athletics Championships.

After World War II Asakuma became a trainer and official, serving as Chairman and Vice President of the Japan Athletics Federation, and was later Honorary Vice Chairman, particularly promoting athletics in the Kyoto Prefecture. He received the Medal of Honor with the Purple Ribbon and the Japan Athletics Federation Achievement Award.

Personal Best: HJ – 2.01 (1935).