Hiroshi Hoketsu (法華津 寛, Hoketsu Hiroshi, born March 28, 1941) is a Japanese equestrian rider. His 44 years in between Olympics appearances is the longest ever [1][2][3]
Hiroshi Hoketsu | |
|---|---|
 Hiroshi Hoketsu at the 2012 London Summer Olympics at Greenwich Park | |
| Born | March 28, 1941 |
| Nationality | Japanese |
| Medal record | ||
|---|---|---|
| Equestrian | ||
Representing  Japan
| ||
| Asian Games | ||
 |
1986 Seoul | Individual dressage |
|
1986 Seoul | Team dressage |
Biography
editHe competed in the 1964 Summer Olympics, finishing 40th in show jumping. Hoketsu also qualified for the 1988 Summer Olympics, but was unable to compete when his horse was quarantined.
At the 2008 Summer Olympics on August 13, 2008, he finished 9th in the Dressage Team Grand Prix and 35th in the Dressage Individual Grand Prix.[4] In 2012, at the age of 70, Hoketsu won a berth for Japanese representation for the 2012 Summer Olympics in individual dressage[5] and in competition of equestrian at the 2012 Summer Olympics – Individual dressage he finished 40th.
In his 70s, the 1968 graduate of Duke University is regarded as the "hope for old men".[5][6] He was the oldest athlete in the 2008 and 2012 Summer Olympics. Hoketsu is the oldest Olympian to ever compete for Japan, and is the third oldest Olympian to compete ever, next to shooter Oscar Swahn of Sweden, who won a silver in the 1920 Summer Olympics and Arthur von Pongracz, who competed at age 72 in Dressage in 1936 Summer Olympics in Berlin.[7][8]
References
edit- ^ "Los Angeles 1984 Olympian Leonel Martinez set to end 40-year wait for second Games appearance".
- ^ "Paris Olympics will feature 2nd-longest gap for an athlete: 40 years between games". wbir.com. April 12, 2024. Retrieved July 11, 2024.
- ^ "Yes, of course. Here are the top in maximum gap between appearances:".
- ^ "Hiroshi Hoketsu Bio". NBCOlympics.com. Archived from the original on September 17, 2016. Retrieved August 9, 2008.
- ^ a b "Hiroshi Hoketsu". London2012.com. Archived from the original on August 12, 2012.
- ^ "Maybe Hiroshi Hoketsu, the oldest Olympian, is just horsing around". Los Angeles Times. August 3, 2012. Retrieved August 9, 2012.
- ^ "Oldest and Youngest Olympians (Summer Games)". Topendsports.com. Retrieved July 16, 2014.
- ^ "Preparing to compete at London 2012 Olympics at 70". BBC Sport. March 7, 2012. Retrieved August 8, 2012.
External links
edit- Hiroshi Hoketsu at FEI
- Hiroshi Hoketsu at FEI (alternative link)
- Hiroshi Hoketsu at Olympics.com
- Hiroshi Hoketsu at Olympedia
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