Olympic Games Gold Medalist Athlete. A two-time Olympic champion in weightlifting, he received a gold medal in the Men's Lightweight Competition during the 1952 Summer Games in Helsinki and a gold medal in the Men's Light-Heavyweight Competition during the 1956 Summer Games in Melbourne. Additionally, he earned a silver medal in the Men's Middleweight Competition during the 1960 Summer Games in Rome. Regarded by many as being the greatest weightlifter to hail from the United States during his era, he was influential to Arnold Schwarzenegger. He spent part of his youth in Tuke Lake Internment Camp along with his family who were forced to relocate there during World War II, following Japan's attack on Pearl Harbor (1941). An asthmatic, he worked out with barbells in order to strengthen his body and following his family's release after the war, he moved up to weightlifting and was competing during his senior year in high school. While attending college, he earned his chance to compete internationally. In addition to Olympic competition, Kono was an accomplished bodybuilder and earned the Mr. University title in 1954, 1955 and 1957. He served as the head coach of the US Men's Olympic Weightlifting Team during the 1976 Summer Games in Montreal. He worked with the Honolulu Department of Parks and Recreation. Kono was inducted into the International Weightlifting Hall of Fame in 1993. He died of complications from liver disease.
Olympic Games Gold Medalist Athlete. A two-time Olympic champion in weightlifting, he received a gold medal in the Men's Lightweight Competition during the 1952 Summer Games in Helsinki and a gold medal in the Men's Light-Heavyweight Competition during the 1956 Summer Games in Melbourne. Additionally, he earned a silver medal in the Men's Middleweight Competition during the 1960 Summer Games in Rome. Regarded by many as being the greatest weightlifter to hail from the United States during his era, he was influential to Arnold Schwarzenegger. He spent part of his youth in Tuke Lake Internment Camp along with his family who were forced to relocate there during World War II, following Japan's attack on Pearl Harbor (1941). An asthmatic, he worked out with barbells in order to strengthen his body and following his family's release after the war, he moved up to weightlifting and was competing during his senior year in high school. While attending college, he earned his chance to compete internationally. In addition to Olympic competition, Kono was an accomplished bodybuilder and earned the Mr. University title in 1954, 1955 and 1957. He served as the head coach of the US Men's Olympic Weightlifting Team during the 1976 Summer Games in Montreal. He worked with the Honolulu Department of Parks and Recreation. Kono was inducted into the International Weightlifting Hall of Fame in 1993. He died of complications from liver disease.
Bio by: C.S.
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