Legendary Japanese marathon coach Yoshio Koide, who coached women to Olympic gold, silver and bronze in the marathon as well as history’s first-2:20, has died at age 80. He sounds like an amazing coach. Check out how differently he coached two of is most prominent athletes.
Kyodo news wrote:
Rarely seen without his trademark tinted glasses, Koide maintained an unconventionally collegial relationship with his athletes and adjusted his coaching technique as their character dictated.
Describing the dynamic between himself and Arimori (Olympic bronze and silver medallist in marathon) , who took charge of her own training, he once said, "(She) is the teacher and I am the student. I ask Ms. Arimori her practice plan for the day. I don't control her, I just give the right amount of advice."....
On the other hand, Koide had to take a much more hands-on approach with Takahashi (Olympic gold medallist and first sub-220 woman), saying "It was the opposite with Q-chan (Takahashi's nickname) -- I had to decide what she would do."
Takahashi also paid tribute to her former coach on Wednesday, crediting him with helping her reach the pinnacle of the marathon world.
"It was thanks to Coach Koide that I was able to win an Olympic medal, set a world record, and become the person I am now," Takahashi said.
Did anyone ever meet him? Have any stories to share?
https://english.kyodonews.net/news/2019/04/825fb734be94-athletics-renowned-running-coach-koide-dead-at-80.html