Coach Soichi Sakamoto
International Swimming Hall of Fame Honoree
Six National Team Titles: 1939, 1940, 1941, 1946, 1949, 1950
Olympic Games: Assistant Coach 1952, 1956
University of Hawaii Sports Circle of Honor
Founder of Three Year Swim Club
Founder of Hawaii Swim Club

This founder of Hawaii Swim Club has developed the most national and international swimming champions in the state of Hawaii.  Coach founded the Three Year Swim Club in 1937 with a goal of sending his swimmers to the 1949 Olympic Games.  The original members of the Three Year Swim Club included perennial national champions Keo Nakama, Halo Hirose, Jose Balmores, and Bunmei "Bunny" Nakama. Coach Sakamoto's swimmers, despite the cancellation of the 1940 and 1944 Olympics due to war, continued to set records at the national competitions.  Then, at the 1948 London Olympics, Coach's pupil Bill Smith won two Olympic Gold Medals in 400 Free and Free Relay.  Coach was at the poolside to witness Bill's victory and reportedly wiped away tears of joy.  

Coach Sakamoto passed away at age 91 on August 2, 1997 from complications associated with pneumonia.  Coach and his wife Mary are resting peacefully at the Valley of the Temple cemetery.

See complete profile and stories on Coach Sakamoto at:
http://www.hawaiiswim.org/business/sakamoto.html
http://www.hawaiiswim.org/team/hsc/keoStories/tocStories.html

Sources and Credits:
Keith Arakaki and Hawaii Swim Page at:
http://www.hawaiiswim.org/business/sakamoto.html
http://www.hawaiiswim.org/team/hsc/keoStories/tocStories.html

Morinaga, Dayton, "Sakamoto: Inspired Greatness"
http://www.hawaiiswim.org/team/hsc/keoStories/sakamoto1.html