{"id":406435,"date":"2022-06-03T11:00:57","date_gmt":"2022-06-03T18:00:57","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.swimmingworldmagazine.com\/news\/?p=406435"},"modified":"2022-06-03T11:32:41","modified_gmt":"2022-06-03T18:32:41","slug":"japanese-swimmer-daichi-suzuki-to-be-inducted-into-the-international-swimming-hall-of-fame-as-part-of-class-of-2022","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.swimmingworldmagazine.com\/news\/japanese-swimmer-daichi-suzuki-to-be-inducted-into-the-international-swimming-hall-of-fame-as-part-of-class-of-2022\/","title":{"rendered":"Japanese Swimmer Daichi Suzuki To Be Inducted Into International Swimming Hall of Fame Class of 2022 – Updated"},"content":{"rendered":"

Daichi Suzuki<\/strong> stunned the world when he beat the USA\u2019s David Berkoff<\/strong> at the 1988 Olympic Games in the 100-meter backstroke.<\/p>\n

\"Suzuki-Berkoff-Olympics\"

Daichi Suzuki after he beat David Berkoff in the 100-meter backstroke at the 1988 Seoul Olympics Photo Courtesy: Daichi Suzuki<\/p><\/div>\n

While Hall of Famer, David Berkoff is widely credited with \u201cinventing\u201d swimming backstroke underwater with a dolphin kick, the origin of the technique is far from clear. The first record of swimming in this manner in competition credits Hall of Famer Jesse Vassallo<\/strong> with being the first. Perhaps independently, Daichi Suzuki of Japan developed the skill<\/a> and, as a 17-year-old, became the first to swim 25 meters underwater at the 1984 Los Angeles Olympic Games.\u00a0 At about the same time, David Berkoff started experimenting with what became known as \u201cthe Berkoff Blastoff\u201d in the USA.<\/p>\n

\"Suzuki-backstroke-ready-position\"

Daichi Suzuki at the start position for the 100-meter backstroke during the 1988 Seoul Olympics Photo Courtesy: Daichi Suzuki<\/p><\/div>\n

Fast forward to the preliminaries of the 1988 Olympic Games, Berkoff and Suzuki went head-to-head, with Berkoff staying five more meters underwater on the first lap than his opponent and winning by over a body length in world record time<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\"Suzuki-backstroke-takeoff\"

Daichi Suzuki launching into the 100-meter backstroke at the 1988 Seoul Olympics Photo Courtesy: Daichi Suzuki<\/p><\/div>\n

In the finals, it was a different story.\u00a0 Berkoff surfaced at 40 meters with a half-body lead over Suzuki.\u00a0 Suzuki caught up and out-touched Berkoff for the gold medal, in what was considered the major upset of the Games. Suzuki retired immediately after the Seoul Olympics and has continued to be active at nearly all levels of the sport.<\/p>\n

\"Suzuki-medal-podium-Olympics\"

Daichi Suzuki with his gold medal on the podium at the 1988 Olympics Photo Courtesy: Daichi Suzuki<\/p><\/div>\n

 <\/p>\n

\"Suzuki-waving-gold-medal\"

Daichi Suzuki waving to the crowd after receiving his gold medal Photo Courtesy: Daichi Suzuki<\/p><\/div>\n

More About Daichi Suzuki<\/h2>\n

Upon retirement, Suzuki became the varsity coach at Juntendo University.\u00a0 He also sat on the board of Japan\u2019s Anti-Doping Agency, as well as serving on the World Anti-Doping Agency\u2019s Athlete Committee.\u00a0 He eventually was selected as President<\/a> of the Japan Swimming Federation<\/a>, and more recently was named to head Japan\u2019s Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology.<\/p>\n

\"Suzuki-Olympics\"

Daichi Suzuki at the 1988 Seoul Olympics Photo Courtesy: Daichi Suzuki<\/p><\/div>\n

Come join Suzuki and this year’s class of 2022 in Ft. Lauderdale.\u00a0 If you cannot join us, consider making a donation.<\/p>\n

To make a donation, click here: https:\/\/www.ishof.org\/donate\/<\/a><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

This year\u2019s International Swimming Hall of Fame Honorees include:<\/strong><\/p>\n

International Swimming Hall of Fame 2022 Honorees<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

Craig Beardsley (USA)<\/em><\/strong><\/a>\u00a0\u2013\u00a0Swimming<\/em><\/p>\n

Natalie Coughlin (USA)<\/a> \u2013<\/em><\/strong>\u00a0Swimming<\/em><\/p>\n

Marilyn Bell (CAN)<\/em><\/strong><\/a>\u00a0\u2013 Open Water Swimming<\/em><\/p>\n

Michael Klim (AUS)<\/em><\/strong><\/a>\u00a0\u2013 Swimming<\/em><\/p>\n

Jon\u00a0Sieben (AUS)<\/em><\/strong><\/a>\u00a0\u2013 Swimming<\/em><\/p>\n

Daichi Suzuki (JPN)<\/em><\/strong><\/a>\u2013 Swimming<\/em><\/p>\n

Matthew Mitcham (AUS)<\/em><\/strong><\/a>\u00a0\u2013 Diving<\/em><\/p>\n

Ursula Carlisle (AUS)<\/em><\/strong><\/a>\u00a0\u2013 Coach<\/em><\/p>\n

Peter\u00a0Huerzeler\u00a0(SUI)<\/em><\/strong><\/a>\u00a0\u2013 ISHOF Contributor<\/em><\/p>\n

Mirko Vicevic (YUG\/MON)<\/em><\/strong><\/a>\u00a0Water Polo<\/em><\/p>\n

Masters International Swimming Hall of Fame Honorees<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

Doris Steadman <\/em><\/strong>(USA)<\/a> Masters Swimmer<\/p>\n

Dr. Jane Katz (USA)<\/a><\/em><\/strong>\u00a0Masters Contributor<\/em><\/p>\n

Edith Bohm (GER)<\/a>\u00a0<\/em><\/strong>Masters Swimmer<\/em><\/p>\n

Olga Kokorina (RUS)<\/a>\u00a0<\/em><\/strong>Masters Swimmer<\/em><\/p>\n

Shigehisha Sekikawa (JPN)<\/a>\u00a0<\/em><\/strong>Masters Swimmer<\/em><\/p>\n

Birte Hohlstein (GER)<\/em><\/strong><\/a>\u00a0\u00a0Masters Artistic Swimming<\/em><\/p>\n

Guenther Wolf (GER)<\/a>\u00a0<\/em><\/strong>Masters Water Polo<\/em><\/p>\n

The Induction Weekend Schedule<\/strong><\/p>\n

Saturday, October 15, 2022<\/strong><\/p>\n

Official 57th Annual International Swimming Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony and Dinner<\/p>\n