Yoshinobu Oyakawa

Infobox Swimmer
swimmername=Yoshinobu Oyakawa


imagesize=
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fullname = Yoshinobu Oyakawa
nicknames = "Yoshi"
nationality = USA
strokes = Backstroke
club = Hawaii Swim Club
collegeteam = Ohio State University
birthdate = birth date and age|1933|8|9
birthplace = Kona, Hawaii
deathdate =
deathplace =
height = height|m=1.69
weight = convert|70|kg|lb
medaltemplates=

Yoshinobu ("Yoshi") Oyakawa (born August 9, 1933 on the Kona side of the Big Island of Hawaii) was a backstroke swimmer from the United States, who won the 100m Backstroke at the 1952 Summer Olympics in Helsinki, Finland. He is considered to be the last of the great "straight-arm-pull" backstrokers.

The youngest of three children, Oyakawa was raised in Papaikou, Hawaii. He attended Kalaianaole Elementary and Intermediate School. He graduated from Hilo High School, Class of '51. Oyakawa was selected in the High School and College All-American Swimming Team. From 1951–1956, he was on the A.A.U. All-American Swim Team.

While at the Ohio State University, from 1952–1956, Oyakawa dominated backstroke at the high levels of Big Ten, NCAA, and National A.A.U. So dominating, he held American, Olympic and World Records in the backstroke eventcite web | title=Stories About USMS Swimmers: Yoshi Oyakawa|url=http://www.usms.org/hist/sto/index.php?ID=23&srt=| accessdate=2007-10-12] . In 1955, Oyakawa graduated with a degree in Physical Education. A year later, in Melbourne Australia he and his Ohio State teammate Ford Konno were voted team captains of the 22-member American Men's Olympic Swim Team.

Oyakawa is married to Mariko Yamane. They have five children. He has taught at Oak Hills High School in Cincinnati, Ohio for 25 years. Never one to sit idle, he also taught at Northern Kentucky University after retiring from Oak Hill High School.

Since 1972 Oyakawa has enjoyed participating in the Master's Swimming program, where he continues to set records. For example, in 1998, in both the 50 and 100 yard Short Course Backstroke the former Olympic champion set a National Record. In addition, in the 100 meter Long Course Backstroke, he set another National Record.

In 1973 he was inducted in the International Swimming Hall of Fame.

References