Kokichi Tsuburaya

Who was Kokichi Tsuburaya?

Kōkichi Tsuburaya was a Japanese athlete who competed mainly in the Marathon.

He competed for Japan in the 1964 Summer Olympics held in Tokyo, Japan, where he won the bronze medal when he was overtaken within the final 100 meters by Basil Heatley of the UK.

Shortly after the Tokyo Olympics, Kokichi suffered from an ongoing back problem, known as lumbago. On January 9, 1968, he committed suicide by slashing his wrist in his dormitory room where he had stayed during his training period for the Mexico City Olympics. In his suicide note, he paid thanks to his parents, siblings and trainers for their contributions, urged his fellow runners to do well, and ended the note: "I am too exhausted to run any more. Please forgive me. I'm sorry for causing my parents concern and worry, but this is for the best. Thank you very much for everything you have done for me." He was twenty-seven years old.

Kokichi was a 1st lieutenant in the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force.