Akinori Nakayama

Akinori Nakayama
中山彰規
Nakayama in 1966
Personal information
Born(1943-03-01)March 1, 1943
Nagoya, Japan
DiedMarch 9, 2025(2025-03-09) (aged 82)
Height1.63 m (5 ft 4 in)
Gymnastics career
DisciplineMen's artistic gymnastics
Country represented
Japan Japan
Medal record
Olympic Games
Gold medal – first place1968 Mexico CityTeam
Gold medal – first place1968 Mexico CityRings
Gold medal – first place1968 Mexico CityParallel bars
Gold medal – first place1968 Mexico CityHorizontal bar
Gold medal – first place1972 MunichTeam
Gold medal – first place1972 MunichRings
Silver medal – second place1968 Mexico CityFloor exercise
Silver medal – second place1972 MunichFloor exercise
Bronze medal – third place1968 Mexico CityAll-around
Bronze medal – third place1972 MunichAll-around
World Championships
Gold medal – first place1966 DortmundTeam
Gold medal – first place1966 DortmundFloor
Gold medal – first place1966 DortmundHorizontal bar
Gold medal – first place1970 LjubljanaTeam
Gold medal – first place1970 LjubljanaFloor
Gold medal – first place1970 LjubljanaRings
Gold medal – first place1970 LjubljanaParallel bars
Silver medal – second place1966 DortmundRings
Silver medal – second place1970 LjubljanaHorizontal bar
Bronze medal – third place1966 DortmundAll-around
Bronze medal – third place1966 DortmundVault
Bronze medal – third place1970 LjubljanaAll-around

Akinori Nakayama (中山 彰規, Nakayama Akinori; March 1, 1943 – March 9, 2025) was a Japanese gymnast and Olympic gold medalist. Nakayama was born in Nagoya, Aichi Prefecture, and is a graduate of Chukyo University in Nagoya. Nakayama is one of only three gymnasts to become an Olympic Champion in rings twice.[1]

Biography

Nakayama won six medals at the World Championships in 1966, including three gold medals in the team all-around, the floor exercise and the horizontal bar. Two years later, with four gold, one silver and one bronze medals he became the most successful male athlete at the 1968 Summer Olympics. In 1970, he won another four world titles: in team competition, on rings, floor and parallel bars. He won four more medals at the 1972 Summer Olympics.[2]

After retirement he was the vice-president of the Japanese Gymnastics Federation.[2] He also served as a gymnastics coach at his alma mater, Chukyo University.[1] In 2005, he was inducted into the International Gymnastics Hall of Fame.[3]

Nakayama died from stomach cancer on March 9, 2025, at the age of 82.[4]

Competitive history

Year Event Team AA FX PH SR VT PB HB
1965
Summer Universiade1st place, gold medalist(s)1st place, gold medalist(s)
1966
World Championships1st place, gold medalist(s)3rd place, bronze medalist(s)1st place, gold medalist(s)2nd place, silver medalist(s)3rd place, bronze medalist(s)1st place, gold medalist(s)
1967
All Japan Championships1st place, gold medalist(s)
NHK Trophy1st place, gold medalist(s)
Summer Universiade1st place, gold medalist(s)1st place, gold medalist(s)
1968 All Japan Championships1st place, gold medalist(s)
Olympic Games1st place, gold medalist(s)3rd place, bronze medalist(s)2nd place, silver medalist(s)121st place, gold medalist(s)51st place, gold medalist(s)1st place, gold medalist(s)
1969 NHK Trophy1st place, gold medalist(s)
1970 All Japan Championships1st place, gold medalist(s)
NHK Trophy1st place, gold medalist(s)
World Championships1st place, gold medalist(s)3rd place, bronze medalist(s)1st place, gold medalist(s)1st place, gold medalist(s)61st place, gold medalist(s)2nd place, silver medalist(s)
1971 All Japan Championships1st place, gold medalist(s)
1972
Summer Olympics1st place, gold medalist(s)3rd place, bronze medalist(s)2nd place, silver medalist(s)71st place, gold medalist(s)1255

See also

References

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  1. 1 2 "中山彰規" [Akinori Nakayama]. Nihon Jinmei Daijiten (in Japanese). Tokyo: Shogakukan. 2012. Archived from the original on 2007-08-25. Retrieved 2012-12-14.
  2. 1 2 Evans, Hilary; Gjerde, Arild; Heijmans, Jeroen; Mallon, Bill; et al. "Akinori Nakayama". Olympics at Sports-Reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Archived from the original on 2020-04-17.
  3. ↑ "AKINORI NAKAYAMA". International Gymnastics Hall of Fame. Archived from the original on 19 May 2007. Retrieved May 12, 2007.
  4. ↑ "Gymnastics:Japan's 6-time Olympic gold medalist Akinori Nakayama dies at 82". Kyodo News. 17 March 2025. Retrieved 18 March 2025.
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