Jiichiro Date

Career and achievements

Date built a reputation as a skilled freestyle wrestler, a style of the sport that permits attacks on the legs and a wide range of throws and takedowns. Over several years he competed at national and international events and recorded podium finishes at world-level championships.

• Winner, World Cup (1973)
• Bronze medalist, World Championships (1975)
• Gold medalist, 1976 Summer Olympics (freestyle wrestling)

These results established Date as one of Japan's leading wrestlers of his era. His Olympic victory at the 1976 Games is often cited when describing Japan's wrestling successes in the postwar period.

Style and significance

Freestyle wrestlers like Date rely on speed, balance and technical variety. While specific match records vary by tournament, Date was known for adapting to international opponents and for the tactical versatility that the discipline rewards. His accomplishments contributed to the visibility of Japanese wrestling on the world stage and inspired younger athletes who followed.

Later life and legacy

After retiring from active competition, Date remained a respected figure in the sporting community. Reports indicate he died of a heart attack in Tokyo on 20 February 2018 at age 66. His career highlights, including the World Cup win and Olympic gold, are frequently listed in retrospectives of Japanese wrestling history. For general context on the discipline he practiced, see freestyle wrestling, and for details about the Games where he triumphed consult resources on the 1976 Summer Olympics.

While records of every match are maintained in specialized archives and sport-specific databases, Date's legacy is summarized by his major medals and the role he played in Japan's wrestling achievements during the 1970s.