Kinue Hitomi: Japan’s First Female Olympic Medallist
Kinue Hitomi: Japan’s First Female Olympic Medallist
At Amsterdam 1928 she was Japan’s only woman athlete — and won 800m silver. Here is the story of pioneer Kinue Hitomi.
Kinue Hitomi was a trailblazer: the first Japanese woman to win an Olympic medal. At the 1928 Amsterdam Olympics — the first Games to include women’s athletics — she was the only Japanese woman competing, and took silver in the 800m in 2:17.6. A world-record holder in several events, she died tragically young in 1931.
In this guide
1. A lone pioneer in Amsterdam
2. The 800m silver
3. A short, brilliant life
4. Why she matters
1. A lone pioneer in Amsterdam
One woman, representing a nation.
At the 1928 Amsterdam Olympics, Hitomi was the only Japanese woman athlete at the Games. She entered several events and, after falling short in the 100m, entered the 800m almost on a whim — despite never having raced the distance in official competition.1
2. The 800m silver
A historic first.
She took silver in the 800m final in 2:17.6, behind Germany’s Lina Radke — becoming the first Japanese woman to win an Olympic medal.1
3. A short, brilliant life
A record-breaker lost too soon.
Hitomi set world records in several events during the late 1920s, but died of pneumonia in 1931, aged just 24.1
4. Why she matters
The first of many.
Hitomi opened the door for every Japanese sportswoman who followed — from marathon champions Naoko Takahashi and Mizuki Noguchi to today’s Olympians. A genuine pioneer of Japanese sport.
Frequently asked questions
Who was Kinue Hitomi?
A Japanese track-and-field athlete and the first Japanese woman to win an Olympic medal.
What did she win?
Silver in the 800m at the 1928 Amsterdam Olympics, in 2:17.6.
What happened to her?
A world-record holder in several events, she died of pneumonia in 1931, aged 24.
Keep exploring
Explore the stories, systems and culture behind Japanese sport.
Sources & notes
- 1928 Amsterdam: only Japanese woman athlete; 800m silver 2:17.6 (won by Lina Radke); first Japanese woman Olympic medallist; multiple world records; died 1931 aged 24. Wikipedia; World Athletics.
A profile dated 21 June 2026. No copyrighted material is reproduced.
📅 更新履歴
| 日付 | 変更内容 |
|---|---|
| 2026年6月21日 | 初回公開 |
| 2026年6月22日 | 情報を更新 |
✅ ファクト再検証
最終検証日：2026年6月22日
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