Shun Fujimoto

Shun Fujimoto (藤本 俊, Fujimoto Shun, born May 11, 1950) is a retired Japanese gymnast.

Shun Fujimoto
Born (1950-05-11) May 11, 1950
DisciplineMen's artistic gymnastics

He represented Japan at the 1976 Summer Olympics, where he won gold in the team competition.

Fujimoto achieved fame by continuing to compete in the team event right after breaking his knee during the floor exercise. He scored 9.5 on the pommel horse and 9.7 on the rings with a broken knee, dismounting from the rings from eight feet above ground and keeping his balance after landing on his feet. He "raised his arms in a perfect finish before collapsing in agony".[1][2] The dismount worsened his injury, dislocating his broken kneecap and tearing ligaments in his right leg. Doctors ordered him to withdraw from further competition or risk permanent disability.[3][4] One doctor stated:

"How he managed to do somersaults and twists and land without collapsing in screams is beyond my comprehension."[5]

Fujimoto stated that he had not wanted to let his team down by revealing his injury.[6] His completing of the pommel horse and rings events enabled the team to win gold, defeating the team from the Soviet Union by a narrow margin.[7] Later, when asked whether he would do what he did again, he replied frankly, "No, I would not."[8]

Fujimoto's performing in spite of serious injury was humorously alluded to in The Simpsons episode "Lisa's First Word".

In 2017, Fujimoto was inducted into the International Gymnastics Hall of Fame.

References
  1. "1976 Olympics gymnastics Shun Fujimoto" on YouTube video
  2. "Shun Fujimoto - a pioneer in taking one for the team" Archived 2008-08-01 at the Wayback Machine, official website of the 2008 Summer Olympics
  3. "A bad break for a courageous athlete", CNN
  4. "If Perspiration Could Be Quantified", Time, August 15, 1988
  5. "A bad break for a courageous athlete", CNN
  6. "A bad break for a courageous athlete", CNN
  7. "Fujimoto caps Japanese success", BBC, September 29, 2000
  8. The Joy of Six: great Olympians The Guardian, 7 Aug 2008
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