Shizo Kanakuri and the 54-year marathon

Olympic history has recorded one athlete completing a marathon in over five decades.

Throughout the more than a century of Olympic history, countless records have been set: from the fastest runners and longest jumps to spectacular and celebrated performances.

But alongside those brilliant achievements, there also exists a special story, both humorous and humane, associated with the name Shizo Kanakuri, the Japanese marathon runner often referred to as "the slowest runner in the Olympics".

Shizo Kanakuri was born in 1891 in Japan. He was selected as one of the first athletes to represent the country at the modern Olympic Games. In 1912, when the Olympics were held in Stockholm, Sweden, Japan sent its first sports delegation to compete. Kanakuri, then only 21 years old, carried with him immense national pride and the responsibility of being one of the pioneering representatives.

Kanakuri withdrew from the Olympics on his own initiative.

However, the journey to Stockholm was far from easy. He had to endure a nearly 18-day trip by sea and train to reach Europe. Upon arriving in Sweden, Kanakuri was exhausted and had not yet adapted to the climate or time zone. Despite this, he still stood at the starting line of the marathon at the 1912 Olympics alongside dozens of other competitors.

The race took place in harsh conditions. Temperatures reached over 30 degrees Celsius – too hot for an athlete from Japan accustomed to a different climate. During the race, Kanakuri felt dizzy and exhausted. He decided to withdraw from the race after only about half the distance.

A Swedish family saw his condition and took him home to care for him. Afterward, Kanakuri quietly returned to Japan without reporting to the organizers. Therefore, for many years, Kanakuri was considered to have "disappeared" from the Stockholm Olympics.

In fact, the Swedish Olympic organizers included Kanakuri's name on the list of athletes who "disappeared" after the tournament. The story became an interesting anecdote in the sports world. It wasn't until decades later that the truth came to light: Kanakuri hadn't disappeared; he had simply quietly withdrawn from the competition and returned home.

The unexpected happened in 1967. The Swedish Olympic organizers decided to invite Kanakuri back to Stockholm to "complete" the marathon he had left unfinished 55 years earlier. He was 76 years old at the time. With sportsmanship and a touch of humor, Kanakuri accepted the invitation. He crossed the finish line and was officially recognized as having completed the 1912 Olympic marathon.

Kanakuri returned to complete the race he had started.

The announced results were quite remarkable: Kanakuri's completion time was 54 years, eight months, six days, five hours, and 32 minutes. Of course, this is a symbolic calculation, linked to his unique story. Because of this, Kanakuri is known as "the slowest runner in Olympic history."

Following that event, Kanakuri was remembered not only as a failed athlete, but also as a symbol of perseverance and sportsmanship. He once shared with the press, "It was a long race. Along the way, I gained six grandchildren." This humorous remark further endeared him to the public.

Shizo Kanakuri later went on to be involved in Japanese sports. He is considered the "father of the Japanese marathon" for his immense contributions to the development of the sport in his homeland. Kanakuri passed away in 1983 at the age of 92.

Today, the story of Kanakuri is often recounted whenever the Olympics are discussed. It's not just about the "slowest" record, but also proof that the Olympics celebrate not only those who finish first, but also recognize extraordinary journeys where sportsmanship and humanity shine through.

Source: https://znews.vn/shizo-kanakuri-va-chang-marathon-keo-dai-54-nam-post1586878.html