Unknown Episode that Moved People Around the World

KIDO Shunzo

The Olympic Games is the largest event in the sporting world and needless to say the greatest honor for all the athletes who participate is to win the gold medal. Here is a very touching story involving an Olympic gold medal. This took place during the equestrian event held at the 10th Olympic Games in Los Angeles in 1932.

When Japanese think of equestrian events in this Olympics, the name NISHI Takeichi, who referred to himself as “Baron Nishi,” springs to mind. Nishi, who was representing Japan, won the gold medal in the individual show jumping competition. Thirteen years later, Baron Nishi was assigned to Ioutou (Iwo Jima) during the Pacific War. Obtaining information that Baron Nishi was stationed in Ioutou, the U.S. Army appealed to him to surrender, announcing “The world wants you to survive.” But instead of responding to this request, Baron Nishi fought to the death with the mane of his beloved horse “Uranusu” close to his body.

There is another Japanese athlete who moved people around the world even more so than Baron Nishi at the equestrian event. His name is KIDO Shunzo, a rider who participated in the steeplechase event. This is a very strenuous event in which riders have to guide their horses along a 32.29km course through mountains and fields containing 50 obstacles. KIDO took the lead on his beloved horse “Kyugun” from the start and had almost completed the course when he reached the final obstacle. The gold medal was just round the corner.

Applause for his Decision to Choose his Horse
But then something unbelievable happened out of the blue. All of a sudden KIDO dismounted from his horse. At that time Kyugun was 19 years old, or about 70 in human years. His body was laced with sweat and he was almost out of breath. Under these circumstances, jockeys usually whip their horses to use the last of their energy, and it was probable that Kyugun would respond to this.

However, KIDO thought Kyugun might die if he forced the horse to jump over another obstacle. So, KIDO made up his mind to choose his loving horse over winning a gold medal. Kyugun stepped closer to his rider. The audience and judges reportedly shed tears to see a scene where it looked like Kyugun was apologizing to KIDO. KIDO later said, “I really realized I’m not good at riding a horse, and I feel very sorry for Kyugun.”

An American humane society expressed their great admiration for KIDO’s love for his horse and created a bronze plaque in his honor. The words on the plaque read: “HE HEARD THE LOW VOICE OF MERCY, NOT THE LOUD ACCLAIM OF GLORY.” The plaque and the horse’s saddle that had been kept in the United States are now exhibited in the Prince Chichibu Memorial Sports Museum in Tokyo. KIDO’s touching conduct towards his horse shines far more brightly than any gold medal, even now.

Back to List Page