Koji Murofushi: Japan’s Olympic Hammer-Throw Champion
Koji Murofushi: Japan’s Olympic Hammer-Throw Champion
Athens 2004 gold, a 2011 world title at 36, and a national record that still stands. Here is the career of Koji Murofushi.
Koji Murofushi is the greatest hammer thrower Japan has produced and a rare Olympic field-event champion for the country. He won gold at the Athens 2004 Olympics — Japan’s first Olympic hammer title — and became world champion in 2011, the oldest man to win the world hammer title. His national record of 84.86m still stands.
In this guide
1. Gold in Athens
2. World champion at 36
3. Scientist and record-holder
4. Why he matters
1. Gold in Athens
A first for Japan.
At Athens 2004, Murofushi won the hammer throw — Japan’s first Olympic gold in the event — with a best of 82.91m.1
2. World champion at 36
Better with age.
In 2011 he became world champion, the oldest man to win the world hammer title — a remarkable feat of longevity in a power event.1
3. Scientist and record-holder
Brain as well as brawn.
A trained sports scientist, Murofushi set an Asian and Japanese record of 84.86m in 2003 that still stands, and applied a deeply analytical approach to training.1
4. Why he matters
Japan’s field-event icon.
In a country better known for distance running and combat sports, Murofushi proved Japan could win at the very top of a global throwing event — a unique figure in Japanese athletics, alongside marathon greats like Naoko Takahashi.
Frequently asked questions
What did Koji Murofushi win?
Olympic hammer-throw gold at Athens 2004 — Japan’s first in the event — and the 2011 world title.
What is his national record?
84.86m, set in 2003, still the Asian and Japanese record.
What was notable about his 2011 world title?
He was the oldest man to win the world hammer championship.
Keep exploring
Explore the stories, systems and culture behind Japanese sport.
Sources & notes
- Athens 2004 hammer gold (best 82.91m), Japan’s first in the event; 2011 world champion (oldest men’s hammer world champ); national record 84.86m (2003); sports scientist. World Athletics; Wikipedia.
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22日 | 初回公開 |
✅ ファクト再検証
最終検証日：2026年6月22日
SportsPulse 編集部が公開情報をもとに内容を確認しています。情報は確認時点のものです。最新情報は各公式サイトをご確認ください。