Akinori Nakayama

Akinori Nakayama was a Japanese gymnast and Olympic gold medalist. Nakayama was born in Nagoya, Aichi Prefecture, and is a graduate of Chukyo University in Nagoya. Nakayama is one of only three gymnasts to become an Olympic Champion in rings twice.

Biography

Nakayama won six medals at the World Championships in 1966, including three gold medals in the team all-around, the floor exercise and the horizontal bar. Two years later, with four gold, one silver and one bronze medals he became the most successful male athlete at the 1968 Summer Olympics. In 1970, he won another four world titles: in team competition, on rings, floor and parallel bars. He won four more medals at the 1972 Summer Olympics.
After retirement he was the vice-president of the Japanese Gymnastics Federation. He also served as a gymnastics coach at his alma mater, Chukyo University. In 2005, he was inducted into the International Gymnastics Hall of Fame.
Nakayama died from stomach cancer on March 9, 2025, at the age of 82.