Masao Takemoto facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Masao Takemoto
Takemoto at the 1952 Olympics
Personal information
Country represented	Japan
Born	(1919-09-29)September 29, 1919 Hamada, Shimane, Japan
Died	February 2, 2007(2007-02-02) (aged 87) Kanagawa, Shimane, Japan
Height	160 cm (5 ft 3 in)
Weight	56 kg (123 lb)
Discipline	Men's artistic gymnastics
Medal record Olympic Games Silver 1952 Helsinki Vault Silver 1956 Melbourne Team Bronze 1956 Melbourne Horizontal bar Bronze 1956 Melbourne Parallel bars Bronze 1956 Melbourne Rings Gold 1960 Rome Team Silver 1960 Rome Horizontal bar World Championships Gold 1954 Rome Floor Silver 1954 Rome Team Bronze 1954 Rome Parallel bars Gold 1958 Moscow Floor Silver 1958 Moscow Team Silver 1958 Moscow Vault Bronze 1958 Moscow Horizontal bar

Masao Takemoto (竹本正男, Takemoto Masao, September 29, 1919 – February 2, 2007) was an amazing Japanese artistic gymnast. He won two world titles and seven Olympic medals during his career. He was known for his incredible talent and dedication to the sport.

Masao Takemoto: A Gymnastics Champion

Masao Takemoto was born on September 29, 1919, in Hamada, Japan. He grew up to become one of the most successful gymnasts of his time. He competed in many major events, showing off his skills on different gymnastics equipment.

Early Olympic Success

Takemoto first competed in the 1952 Summer Olympics held in Helsinki, Finland. He performed very well, earning a silver medal in the vault event. He was just a tiny bit away from winning the gold medal! This was a great start to his Olympic journey.

Becoming a World Champion

Two years later, in 1954, Takemoto competed at the 1954 World Artistic Gymnastics Championships in Rome. Here, he became a world champion in the floor exercise, sharing the top spot with another great gymnast, Valentin Muratov. He also helped his Japanese team win a silver medal. Plus, he earned a bronze medal on the parallel bars.

He proved his amazing floor exercise skills again at the 1958 World Artistic Gymnastics Championships in Moscow. He successfully defended his world title, winning gold once more! At this same event, he also won silver medals in the vault and with his team. He added another bronze medal on the horizontal bar.

More Olympic Glory

Takemoto continued to shine at the 1956 Summer Olympics in Melbourne, Australia. He won three bronze medals in individual events: the horizontal bar, parallel bars, and rings. He also helped the Japanese team win a silver medal.

His biggest Olympic achievement came at the 1960 Summer Olympics in Rome, Italy. Here, Masao Takemoto and his teammates won the gold medal in the team event! He also earned another silver medal on the horizontal bar. This brought his total Olympic medal count to seven.

Life After Competition

After his incredible gymnastics career, Masao Takemoto continued to be involved in the sport. He had studied physical education at Nippon Sport Science University. Later, he used his knowledge and experience to coach the Japanese national gymnastics team, helping new generations of gymnasts.

In 1997, his amazing achievements were recognized when he was inducted into the International Gymnastics Hall of Fame. This is a very special honor for gymnasts.

Masao Takemoto passed away on February 2, 2007, at the age of 87. He left behind a legacy as one of Japan's most celebrated gymnasts.