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}} (born ; May 13, 1940 January 9, 1968) was a Japanese athlete who competed mainly as a marathoner. Kokichi was also a 1st lieutenant in the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force. ==Running career== Tsuburaya competed at the 1964 Summer Olympics held in Tokyo, Japan and finished sixth in the 10,000m event. He was in the lead of the marathon race, but was overtaken within the final 100meters by Basil Heatley and finished third. Tsuburaya was mortified by the loss to Heatley, saying to fellow marathoner Kenji Kimihara, "I committed an inexcusable blunder in front of the Japanese people. I have to make amends by running and hoisting the Hinomaru in the next Olympics, in Mexico".〔Whiting, Robert'', "(Schollander, Hayes were spectacular at Tokyo Games )", ''The Japan Times'', 18 October 2014, p. 13〕 Shortly after the Tokyo Olympics, Kokichi suffered from an ongoing back problem, known as lumbago. On January9, 1968, he committed suicide by slashing his wrist in his dormitory room where he had stayed during his training period for the Mexico City Olympics. In his suicide note, he paid thanks to his parents, siblings and trainers for their contributions, urged his fellow runners to do well, and ended the note (please note this is informal translation): "I am too exhausted to run any more. Please forgive me. I'm sorry for causing my parents concern and worry, but this is for the best. Thank you very much for everything you have done for me." He was twenty-seven years old. 抄文引用元・出典: フリー百科事典『 ウィキペディア（Wikipedia）』 ■ウィキペディアで「Kōkichi Tsuburaya」の詳細全文を読む スポンサード リンク
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