Tommy Kono is a legendary weightlifter and bodybuilder known for his incredible feats of strength and mental focus. Born in Sacramento, California, he dominated the middleweight and light heavyweight categories in international competition, setting numerous Olympic and world records along the way. Here's everything you need to know about Tommy Kono, the greatest American weightlifter ever.
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Who is Tommy Kono
Tamio Kono, known professionally as Tommy Kono, was a renowned American weightlifter. Born in Sacramento, California on June 27, 1930, he went on to win Olympic and world championship medals across three different weight divisions before passing away in Honolulu, Hawaii on April 24, 2016.
During World War II, Kono and his parents were among the Japanese-Americans interned at Tule Lake, California. Despite struggling with bronchial asthma as a child, Kono's health improved in the dry desert air. He took up weightlifting, and by 1952, he was a vital member of t...