… Sawao Kato, a sixty-seven year old gymnastics legend from the 1970s, is stepping down from his position on the FIG Men’s Artistic Technical Committee after twenty years of devoted collaboration. …
Click PLAY or watch some of his 1968 Floor on YouTube.
Sawao Kato … (born October 11, 1946) is a former Japanese gymnast and one of the most successful athletes of all time at the Olympic Games. In three Olympics, he gathered a total of twelve medals, including eight gold medals. …
He is one of only ten athletes to have won eight or more Olympic gold medals. …
3 comments ↓
I remember Blaine Wilson at the 2004 olympics complaining that some of the inbar elements were suddenly devaued at the last minute. The name mentioned was Kato I wonder if this is the same one.
It was. Horizontal Bar was one of the many bungled apparatus in Athens. At the time, I felt the American protest was valid. The change in rules interpretation was made too late.
not exactly Rick. The timing was fine but the US team “did not get the memo”, or that is what they said. Kato was a unique gymnast however. In national competitions in Japan he often finished 3rd or 4th. the same year at Worlds or Olympic Games he would win. I think it made Japan a better team with everyone fighting for the top spots.
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