Koji Murofushi facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Koji Murofushi

Koji Murofushi at the 2011 World Championships in Athletics
Personal information
Nationality	Japanese
Born	(1974-10-08) 8 October 1974 (age 50) Numazu, Shizuoka Prefecture, Japan
Employer	Mizuno Track Club
Height	187 cm (6 ft 2 in)
Weight	99 kilograms (218 lb)
Sport
Country	Japan
Sport	Athletics
Event(s)	Hammer throw
Achievements and titles
Personal best(s)	84.86 m (2003)
Medal record Men's athletics Representing  Japan Olympic Games Gold 2004 Athens Hammer throw Bronze 2012 London Hammer throw World Championships Gold 2011 Daegu Hammer throw Silver 2001 Edmonton Hammer throw Bronze 2003 Paris Hammer throw Asian Games Gold 1998 Bangkok Hammer throw Gold 2002 Busan Hammer throw Silver 1994 Hiroshima Hammer throw Asian Championships Gold 2002 Colombo Hammer throw Silver 1993 Manila Hammer throw Silver 1995 Jakarta Hammer throw Silver 1998 Fukuoka Hammer throw

Koji Alexander Murofushi (広治アレクサンダー室伏, Kōji Arekusandā Murofushi, born 8 October 1974) is a famous Japanese athlete. He is best known for his incredible skill in the hammer throw. This is an event where athletes throw a heavy metal ball attached to a wire and handle.

Koji Murofushi has been one of the top hammer throwers in the world for many years. He won a silver medal at the World Championships and became an Olympic champion in 2004. In 2011, he also won the World Champion title. Besides being a great athlete, he is also a sports scientist.

Koji Murofushi's Amazing Career

Koji Murofushi was born in Numazu, Shizuoka Prefecture, Japan. He started making a name for himself in Asian athletics early in his career.

Early Days and Asian Success

Koji began his journey by winning a bronze medal at the 1993 East Asian Games. He then earned silver medals at the Asian Championships in 1993 and 1995.

In 1994, he won a silver medal at the Asian Games. His first major title came at the 1997 East Asian Games, where he won gold. He continued to succeed in Asia, winning another silver at the 1998 Asian Championship and a gold at the 1998 Asian Games.

Koji also competed on the world stage. He finished eighth at the 1992 World Junior Championships. He placed tenth at the 1997 World Championships and ninth at the 2000 Olympic Games.

Becoming an Olympic and World Champion

In 2001, Koji won gold medals at both the Goodwill Games and the East Asian Games. He even set a new Games record at the East Asian Games. After winning a silver medal at the 2001 World Championships, he continued his winning streak.

He won the Asian Championships and Asian Games in 2002. He also earned a silver medal at the 2002 World Cup and a bronze at the 2003 World Championships. In 2003, he threw the hammer an amazing 84.86 meters. This was the longest throw in over ten years and placed him fourth on the all-time list of hammer throwers.

At the 2004 Summer Olympics in Athens, Koji was one of the top favorites. He proudly won the gold medal, becoming an Olympic champion!

In 2011, Koji Murofushi achieved another huge success. He won the gold medal at the World Championships, becoming the oldest winner of the men's hammer world title. He also received the International Fair Play award at the same event. He later won a bronze medal at the 2012 Summer Olympics in London.

Beyond Competing: Sports Science and Leadership

Koji Murofushi is not just an athlete; he is also a dedicated student and professional. He earned a degree in physical education and completed his doctorate in 2007 from Chukyo University. In 2011, he became an associate professor of physical education at Chukyo University.

In 2014, he joined Tokyo Medical and Dental University. There, he served as a professor in physical education and became the director of the sports science center. His knowledge helps other athletes improve their performance.

In 2014, Koji was chosen for an important role. He was appointed as the sports director for the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games. This shows how much he is respected in the world of sports.

Koji Murofushi's Family and Background

Koji Murofushi was born on October 8, 1974, in Numazu, Shizuoka Prefecture, Japan. He has a mixed background, being of Japanese and Romanian descent.

Athletics runs in his family! His father, Shigenobu Murofushi, was also an Olympian and a hammer thrower. His father held the Japanese record for 23 years until Koji broke it. Koji's sister, Yuka Murofushi, is also a talented athlete who throws both the hammer and the discus.

Koji's mother, Serafina Moritz, was a javelin thrower for Romania. She was a European Junior champion in 1968. Thanks to his mother, Koji can speak Romanian.

See also

• List of Olympic medalists in athletics (men)
• List of World Athletics Championships medalists (men)
• List of 2004 Summer Olympics medal winners
• List of 2012 Summer Olympics medal winners
• Hammer throw at the Olympics
• List of Japanese people
• List of hāfu people