1. Overview
Hiromi Taniguchi, born on April 5, 1960, is a former Japanese long-distance runner and coach. He is widely celebrated for his historic gold medal victory in the marathon at the 1991 World Championships in Athletics held in Tokyo, becoming the first Japanese male runner to win a gold medal in a track event at the World Championships. Taniguchi also achieved significant success in other major marathons, securing victories at the Beppu-Ōita Marathon, Tokyo International Marathon, London Marathon, Hokkaido Marathon, and Rotterdam Marathon. He is also known for his personal best time of 2:07:40 in the marathon, which was the seventh fastest in the world and the 19th fastest among Japanese male runners at the time it was set. After his retirement from competitive running in 1997, Taniguchi transitioned into coaching and academic roles, contributing to the development of athletics in Japan.
2. Early life and education
Hiromi Taniguchi was born on April 5, 1960, in Nangocho, Miyazaki Prefecture, which is now part of Nichinan City. His formative years and educational journey saw him develop into a notable athlete.
2.1. Student athletic career
Taniguchi's athletic career began in middle school, where he was a member of the ekiden (long-distance relay) club. Beyond ekiden, he displayed versatile talent in various track and field events, showcasing ability in disciplines such as high jump and pole vault.
He later attended Miyazaki Prefectural Kobayashi High School. During his time there, he participated in the National High School Ekiden Championship for three consecutive years from 1976 to 1978. While his performance in his first year was a disappointing 14th in his section, he significantly improved in his second and third years, achieving second place in his section in both instances. His contributions helped Kobayashi High School secure two consecutive championships.
After high school, Taniguchi enrolled at Nippon Sport Science University, specializing in physical education. He continued his strong performance in ekiden races, particularly in the Hakone Ekiden (Tokyo-Hakone Round-Trip College Ekiden Race). From his second year (57th Hakone Ekiden) to his fourth year (59th Hakone Ekiden), he ran the difficult sixth section, known as the "mountain descent," for three consecutive years. He earned the section prize in all three appearances, earning him the nickname "specialist of mountain descents." In his third and fourth years, he set new section records for two consecutive years. His performance was a driving force behind Nippon Sport Science University's ninth overall victory in the 59th Hakone Ekiden in 1983.
3. Professional athletic career
Hiromi Taniguchi's professional athletic career spanned from his entry into a corporate team to his eventual retirement from competitive sports, marked by significant achievements and challenges.
3.1. Transition to professional running and teaching aspirations
Originally, Taniguchi harbored aspirations of becoming a high school teacher specializing in physical education or a coach for a track and field club, intending to conclude his competitive career after university. However, his initial attempts to pass the teacher's employment examination were unsuccessful. This led him to join Asahi Kasei, a prominent Japanese corporate athletics team, under an agreement to stay for only two years while preparing for his re-examination.
His professional debut was notably successful, as he won his first marathon, the Beppu-Ōita Marathon, in 1985. Despite this early success, he again failed the teacher's examination, prompting him to reluctantly continue his professional running career. He then achieved further victories, winning the Tokyo International Marathon and the London Marathon in 1987, marking his first overseas triumph. However, in the 1987 Fukuoka International Marathon, a selection race for the 1988 Seoul Olympics, he struggled with rain and cold, failing to keep pace with the eventual winner Takeyuki Nakayama and finishing sixth. He made another attempt in the 1988 Tokyo International Marathon but, affected by pre-race nausea, finished ninth and was not selected for the Seoul Olympics team.
3.2. Key achievements and Olympic appearances
Following his Olympic selection setbacks, Taniguchi achieved a significant milestone in October 1988 at the Beijing International Marathon. Although he narrowly finished second, just five seconds behind Abebe Mekonnen of Ethiopia, he set his personal best marathon record of 2:07:40. At the time, this was the seventh fastest marathon time in the world and the 19th fastest among Japanese male runners. He continued his success, winning the Tokyo International Marathon for a second time in 1989, and also clinching victory in the Hokkaido Marathon that summer. In 1990, he secured his second overseas win at the Rotterdam Marathon.
3.2.1. World Championship Gold Medal
The pinnacle of Hiromi Taniguchi's competitive career arrived in September 1991 at the 1991 World Championships in Athletics in Tokyo. The men's marathon, held on the final day of the championships, was contested under extremely severe conditions, with temperatures exceeding 86 °F (30 °C) and high humidity. These challenging circumstances led to a high attrition rate, with 24 out of 60 competitors, including prominent runners like Takeyuki Nakayama and Abebe Mekonnen, failing to finish the race. Taniguchi, however, unleashed a decisive surge around the 24 mile (39 km) mark, leaving behind rivals such as Ahmed Saleh of Djibouti. He crossed the finish line in 2:14:57, securing the gold medal. This victory was monumental, as it marked the first time a Japanese male athlete had won a gold medal in a track event at the World Championships. As of 2019, Taniguchi remains one of only three Japanese male athletes to have won a gold medal at the World Championships, alongside Koji Murofushi and Yusuke Suzuki.
3.2.2. Olympic Participation and Notable Incidents
Taniguchi was considered one of the favorites for the men's marathon at the 1992 Barcelona Olympics. However, a notable incident occurred just after the 12 mile (20 km) mark at a water station: a trailing competitor accidentally stepped on the heel of his left shoe, causing him to fall and his shoe to come off. He had to stop, put his shoe back on, and re-join the race, losing approximately 30 seconds. This significant setback derailed his bid for victory. Despite falling out of the leading group, he managed to recover his position in the latter half of the race, ultimately finishing in eighth place with a time of 2:14:42. His post-race interview comment, delivered with a wry smile, "I just stumbled" (こけちゃいましたKokechaimashitaJapanese), became famous. For his calm and sporting demeanor in the face of this adversity, he, along with his university junior Yuko Arimori, received the Japan Fair Play Award that year.
He made his second Olympic appearance at the 1996 Atlanta Olympics, where he also served as the captain of the Japanese delegation. Although he was the top Japanese finisher in the men's marathon, he placed 19th with a time of 2:17:26, unable to contend for a medal.
3.2.3. Personal Best and Other Major Wins
Beyond his World Championship gold, Hiromi Taniguchi achieved several other significant victories and a remarkable personal best. His personal best marathon time of 2:07:40, set at the 1988 Beijing International Marathon, was the seventh fastest in the world and the 19th fastest among Japanese male runners at the time. He also secured victories at the 1985 Beppu-Ōita Marathon, the Tokyo International Marathon in 1987 and 1989, the London Marathon in 1987, the Hokkaido Marathon in 1989 (setting a new course record at the time), and the Rotterdam Marathon in 1990. Additionally, he earned a silver medal at the 1986 Asian Games in Seoul.
4. Post-retirement career
After retiring as a professional athlete in 1997, Hiromi Taniguchi transitioned into various coaching and academic roles. He began his coaching career at the Asahi Kasei athletics team, initially serving as a coach, and was promoted to head coach in 1999.
In 2001, he moved to the Oki Electric Athletics Club, where he first served as assistant manager and then became manager in 2002. The Oki Electric Athletics Club was disbanded in March 2009.
In April 2008, Taniguchi was appointed head coach of the Tokyo Electric Power Company (TEPCO) long-distance and ekiden team. Under his guidance, the team made its first-ever appearance at the New Year Ekiden (All-Japan Corporate Ekiden Championship) in 2009. He resigned from his position as TEPCO's team manager at the end of September 2010.
On April 1, 2011, Taniguchi became the assistant manager of the track and field club at Tokyo University of Agriculture. Concurrently, he was appointed associate professor in the university's Faculty of International Agriculture and Food Studies. He held these positions until January 2012.
As of August 1, 2017, Hiromi Taniguchi holds the position of special professor at Miyazaki University.
5. Public profile and literary works
Hiromi Taniguchi has also contributed to literature and popular culture. He authored a book titled "雑草のごとく 転んでも踏まれても立ち上がれ!Zassō no Gotoku Korondemo Fumaretemo Tachiagare!Japanese" (Like a Weed: Even if You Fall, Even if You're Stepped On, Stand Up!). This work was published by Shuppan Geijutsusha in December 1992.
In 2022, an image song dedicated to Hiromi Taniguchi was digitally released by Merrow Records as a single by Shuhei Toyama. The song, titled "希望のひと ～「コケちゃいました！ 」谷口浩美イメージソング～Kibō no Hito ~ "Kokechaimashita!" Taniguchi Hiromi Image Song~Japanese" (Person of Hope ~ "I Stumbled!" Hiromi Taniguchi Image Song~), features lyrics by Kaori Morishita, music by Shuhei Toyama, and arrangement by Hideya Matoba.
6. Major competitive results
Hiromi Taniguchi's competitive career was marked by numerous significant performances in both marathon and ekiden races.
6.1. Marathon results
| Year | Competition | Venue | Position | Time | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1985 | Beppu-Ōita Marathon | Beppu-Ōita, Japan | 1st | 2:13:16 | First marathon victory |
| 1985 | Fukuoka Marathon | Fukuoka, Japan | 2nd | 2:10:01 | |
| 1986 | Tokyo International Marathon | Tokyo, Japan | 7th | 2:11:42 | |
| 1986 | Asian Games | Seoul, South Korea | 2nd | 2:10:08 | Silver medal |
| 1987 | London Marathon | London, United Kingdom | 1st | 2:09:50 | First overseas victory |
| 1987 | Tokyo International Marathon | Tokyo, Japan | 1st | 2:10:06 | |
| 1987 | Fukuoka Marathon | Fukuoka, Japan | 6th | 2:12:14 | |
| 1988 | Tokyo International Marathon | Tokyo, Japan | 9th | 2:13:16 | |
| 1988 | Beijing International Marathon | Beijing, PR China | 2nd | 2:07:40 | Personal best, then 7th fastest in the world |
| 1989 | Tokyo International Marathon | Tokyo, Japan | 1st | 2:09:34 | |
| 1989 | Hokkaido Marathon | Sapporo, Japan | 1st | 2:13:16 | Course record at the time |
| 1990 | Rotterdam Marathon | Rotterdam, Netherlands | 1st | 2:10:56 | |
| 1991 | Tokyo International Marathon | Tokyo, Japan | 9th | 2:11:55 | |
| 1991 | World Championships | Tokyo, Japan | 1st | 2:14:57 | Gold medal, first for a Japanese male in track event |
| 1992 | Olympic Games | Barcelona, Spain | 8th | 2:14:42 | All three Japanese male representatives placed in top 8 |
| 1993 | Boston Marathon | Boston, United States | 4th | 2:11:02 | |
| 1994 | Rotterdam Marathon | Rotterdam, Netherlands | 4th | 2:10:46 | |
| 1995 | Lake Biwa Marathon | Ōtsu, Japan | 4th | 2:11:51 | |
| 1995 | Fukuoka Marathon | Fukuoka, Japan | 7th | 2:10:42 | |
| 1996 | Olympic Games | Atlanta, United States | 19th | 2:17:26 | |
| 1997 | Tokyo International Marathon | Tokyo, Japan | 4th | 2:11:26 |
6.2. Ekiden results
- 1976: 27th National High School Ekiden Championship, 3rd section, 14th place (25:58)
- 1977: 28th National High School Ekiden Championship, 3rd section, 2nd place (25:04)
- 1978: 29th National High School Ekiden Championship, 1st section, 2nd place (30:34, tied for 1st)
- 1981: 57th Hakone Ekiden, 6th section, 1st place (59:33)
- 1982: 58th Hakone Ekiden, 6th section, 1st place (58:04, then new section record)
- 1983: 59th Hakone Ekiden, 6th section, 1st place (57:47, then new section record)
7. Legacy and evaluation
Hiromi Taniguchi's impact on Japanese long-distance running is profound, largely defined by his historic gold medal at the 1991 World Championships in Athletics. This victory represented a significant breakthrough, being the first gold medal for a Japanese male runner in a track event at a World Championship, solidifying his place as a national hero and an inspiration for future generations of Japanese athletes. His personal best time of 2:07:40 also underscored his status as one of the world's elite marathoners of his era.
Beyond his athletic achievements, Taniguchi is remembered for his resilient spirit and calm demeanor, particularly exemplified by his response to the fall during the 1992 Barcelona Olympics marathon. His famous quote, "I just stumbled," coupled with his dignified acceptance of the incident, further cemented his image as a respected athlete who embodied the spirit of fair play and perseverance. His post-retirement career as a coach and academic lecturer has also contributed to the ongoing development of Japanese athletics, allowing him to share his invaluable experience and knowledge. Taniguchi's enduring legacy is that of a trailblazer and a role model in the sport.