10 Facts About Takao Sakurai

Takao Sakurai was a Japanese boxer who won a gold medal at the 1964 Olympics.

Takao Sakurai captured the Olympic boxing gold medal at the 1964 Tokyo Olympics in his senior year.

Takao Sakurai became the first Japanese boxer to win Olympic gold, with Ryota Murata winning the second Olympic gold in boxing for Japan in the middleweight division in the 2012 London Olympics.

Takao Sakurai won 22 straight fights, but was unable to make a full transition from his cautious, amateur boxing style to a more aggressive, professional style.

Takao Sakurai challenged Lionel Rose for the world bantamweight title on July 2,1968.

Takao Sakurai got a knockdown in the 2nd round, but ended up losing by decision in 15 rounds.

Takao Sakurai suffered the first knockout loss of his career against Ruben Olivares in May 1969 in a non-title match.

Takao Sakurai founded his own boxing gym One Two Sports Club, in Tsukiji, Chuo, Tokyo, and worked as a trainer there.

Takao Sakurai was the first man to practice Koichi Wajima's "Frog Jump" punch under the guidance of Hitoshi Misako who is the president of Misako Boxing Gym where he trained during his career as a boxer.

Takao Sakurai died of esophageal cancer in Tokyo at dawn on January 10,2012, the birthday of Hitoshi Misako.