Noboru Ishiguro

Noboru Ishiguro started his sports career as a long distance runner, but had to quit when he contracted tuberculosis while he was a student at Hosei University. After years of medical treatment, he became a self-taught racewalker. The pinnacle of his career was his participation at the 1964 Tokyo Olympics in the 20 km after setting a national record at the Japanese trials earlier that year.

Returning after the Olympics, Ishiguro was discharged because of absenteeism by his employer, the former Ministry of Posts and Telecommunications Tokyo Savings Bureau (today Japan Post Bank Savings Office). Later, he worked for the Saitama Prefectural Government but also served as a racewalking referee and official. As vice-chairman of the Japan Racewalking Association he strived to strengthen his sport in Japan.

Ishiguro was appointed as a torchbearer for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics in his native Saitama Prefecture, but missed the appearance due to the postponement of the Olympics because he died of esophageal cancer in February 2021.

Personal Best: 20kmW – 1-38:08t (1964).