Background
Keizo Yamada was born on January 30, 1927, in Odate, the Akita Prefecture of Japan.
Keizo Yamada was born on January 30, 1927, in Odate, the Akita Prefecture of Japan.
Keizo Yamada graduated from Odate Elementary School.
After the graduation, Keizo Yamada joined Volunteer Corps for Development of Mongolia and Manchuria. After the war was repatriated and joined Dowa Mining Company. He won a championship in the 20-kilometer race of the National Workers' Athletic Meet in 1950.
In 1952, he established the Japanese record of 50 minutes 44 seconds in the 5th National 10-Mile Race for Honorary Medal. He represented his native country at the 1952 Summer Olympics, which took place in Helsinki, finishing in 26th place (2:38:11). Also, he was placed first with the world record of 2 hours 18 minutes 51 seconds in the 57th Boston Marathon Meet in which be participated as Japanese representative (1953).
He retired on July 18, 2009.
