Keiko Tanaka-Ikeda facts for kids

Tanaka-Ikeda at the 1964 Olympics
Quick facts for kids Personal information
Born	(1933-11-11)November 11, 1933 Mihara, Hiroshima, Japan
Died	May 13, 2023(2023-05-13) (aged 89)
Height	1.54 m
Weight	54 kg
Sport
Sport	Artistic gymnastics
Medal record Representing  Japan Olympic Games Bronze 1964 Tokyo Team World Championships Gold 1954 Rome Balance beam Silver 1966 Dortmund Uneven bars Bronze 1958 Moscow Balance beam Bronze 1958 Moscow Floor Bronze 1962 Prague Balance beam Bronze 1962 Prague Team Bronze 1966 Dortmund All-around Bronze 1966 Dortmund Team

Keiko Tanaka-Ikeda (born Keiko Tanaka; November 11, 1933 – May 13, 2023) was a famous Japanese gymnast. She made history by becoming the first Japanese woman to win a world title in gymnastics. She won this gold medal on the balance beam in 1954. This also made her the first Asian female gymnast to win a world gold medal.

For 63 years, Keiko Tanaka-Ikeda was the only Japanese woman to hold a world gymnastics gold medal. This changed when Mai Murakami won a gold medal in the floor exercise at the 2017 World Championships. Tanaka-Ikeda won many other medals too. She earned seven more medals at world championships between 1958 and 1966.

Olympic and World Achievements

Keiko Tanaka-Ikeda was a very successful gymnast. She competed in three Olympic Games: 1956, 1960, and 1964. At the 1964 Tokyo Olympics, she helped her team win a bronze medal. Her best individual result at the Olympics was finishing fourth on the floor in 1956.

World Championship Medals

Keiko Tanaka-Ikeda won several medals at the World Championships:

• Gold medal:
  • 1954 Rome: Balance beam
• Silver medal:
  • 1966 Dortmund: Uneven bars
• Bronze medals:
  • 1958 Moscow: Balance beam
  • 1958 Moscow: Floor
  • 1962 Prague: Balance beam
  • 1962 Prague: Team
  • 1966 Dortmund: All-around (meaning overall performance)
  • 1966 Dortmund: Team

Life After Gymnastics

After she stopped competing, Keiko Tanaka-Ikeda continued to be involved in gymnastics. She taught at Japan's Sports Science University. She also served as a director for the Japanese Gymnastics Association.

In 2002, she received a special honor. She became the first Japanese woman to be added to the International Gymnastics Hall of Fame. This is a place where the greatest gymnasts in history are recognized.

Later Life and Legacy

Keiko Tanaka-Ikeda passed away on May 13, 2023, at the age of 89. She died from brain cancer. Her amazing achievements in gymnastics continue to inspire many young athletes.

See also

In Spanish: Keiko Ikeda para niños