Soichi Sakamoto

Soichi Sakamoto
Biographical details
BornJanuary 23, 1906
Lahaina, Maui County, Hawaii
DiedAugust 2, 1997(1997-08-02) (aged 91)
Honolulu, Hawaii
Coaching career (HC unless noted)
1937"Three Year Swim Club"
Maui, HI
1946-1961University of Hawaii
Honolulu
1946-1981Hawaii Swim Club
Honolulu
1952-1956U.S. Olympic Swim Team
Asst. Coach
Accomplishments and honors
Championships
1939-41 3 x AAU National Championships
(Three year Swim Club)
Awards
1982 International Swim. Hall of Fame
National Collegiate Schol. Swimming Trophy
ASCA Hall of Fame
U. of Hawaii Circle of Honor

Soichi Sakamoto (Japanese: 坂本 正一,[1] January 23, 1906 – August 2, 1997) was a Hall-of-Fame American swimming coach for the Hawaii Swim Club from 1946 through 1981,[2] the University of Hawaii from 1946 through 1961 and the U.S. Olympic team in 1952 and 1956. He pioneered the use of interval and resistance training for competitive swimmers, methods that have now become standard throughout the sport. He coached several national champions and five Olympic medalists that included Bill Woolsey, Thelma Kalama, Evelyn Kawamoto, Bill Smith, and Burwell Jones.[3][4][5][6][7]

  1. ^ "Hawaii Times 1946.03.14 — 邦字新聞デジタル・コレクション".
  2. ^ Miller, Ann, "Labor of Love for Coach", Hawaii Advertiser, Honolulu, Hawaii
  3. ^ "Soichi Sakamoto (USA): Honor Coach (1966)". ISHOF.org. International Swimming Hall of Fame.
  4. ^ Gary T. Kubota (February 23, 2003). "Maui coach's legacy shines like gold". Honolulu Star-Bulletin.
  5. ^ "Inductees by sport". Hawaii Sports Hall of Fame.
  6. ^ "Coach Soichi Sakamoto". American Swimming Coaches Association.
  7. ^ "Hall of Fame". University of Hawaii at Manoa.