Who is Hiroshi Hoketsu?
Hiroshi Hoketsu (March 28th, 1941 – ) is a Japanese equestrian competitor. He is one of the oldest participants in the Olympic Games. He first competed at an Olympic games in 1964, finishing 40th for show-jumping. He also made it to the 1988 Seoul games but was unable to actually participate since his horse was quarantined.
Before the Beijing 2008, Hoketsu was the company director of Johnson & Johnson in Germany. He quit his job over 5 years ago in order to dedicate himself to becoming an Olympic athlete once more.
Where did he grow up?
Hoketsu-san was born on March 28th 1941 in Japan. He began riding at the age of 12 and is an inspiration to athletes across the barriers of age, with an Olympic career spanning more than 50 years. Despite not being a consistent athlete, he was able to get back on the saddle and compete at the 2008 Beijing Olympics in the show jumping and dressage events.
Who was the oldest athlete to compete at an olympics?
The oldest athlete to compete at an Olympic games was a Swedish shooter named Oscar Swahn, who won a silver medal at the Antwerp Olympics of 1920 at age 72. Hoketsu was Japan’s oldest Olympian when he competed in Beijing in 2008 and continues to hold this title at London 2012.
What are some of his achievements?
- 9th in the Dressage Team Grand Prix in the 2008 Beijing Olympics.
- 35th in the Dressage Individual Grand Prix at the 2008 Beijing Olympics.
- At the age of 70 finished 40th in the Individual Dressage at the 2012 Summer Olympics.
The word Grand Prix is most closely associated with racing cars. Can you find out what it means when used in association with the equestrian arena? (equestrian means relating to horses)
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