| Hobbies |
Golf and driving. (topsinternationalarena.com profile) |
| Memorable sporting achievement |
Winning two medals at the 2014 Asian Games. (horseshowjumping.tv, 09 Apr 2024) |
| Most influential person in career |
His father. (Athlete, 18 Jun 2012) |
| Injuries |
In 2019 he underwent back surgery. (Instagram profile, 03 Feb 2021) |
| Sporting philosophy / motto |
“Never lose sight of your passion. With dedication, hard work, and unwavering determination, anything is possible in the world of equestrian sports.” (horseshowjumping.tv, 09 Apr 2024) |
| Awards and honours |
In 2015 and 2016 he received the Osaka Sports Excellence Award in Japan. (pref.osaka.lg.jp, 30 Sep 2016; osaka.lg.jp, 16 Sep 2015) |
| Famous relatives |
His father Masayasu competed in equestrian jumping at the Olympic Games in 1968, 1972, and 1976. His grandfather Koichi Kawaguchi represented Japan in the sport at the 1956 Olympic Games in Stockholm. His mother Ikuri competed in equestrian at national level, and won a gold medal in dressage at the 1983 National Sports Festival in Kyoto, Japan. (olympicchannel.com, 05 Feb 2019; asahi.com, 16 May 2018; SportsDeskOnline, 20 Jul 2017; hyperionstud.com, 10 Aug 2015; Athlete, 18 Jun 2012; sugitanirc.com, 01 Sep 2010) |
| Other information |
FROM JAPAN TO EUROPE
At age 17 he moved to the Netherlands in order to be coached by Dutch rider Henk Nooren. He later relocated to Germany. (olympicchannel.com, 05 Feb 2019; joc.or.jp, 24 Apr 2008) |
| General highlights |
In 2024 he competed in his seventh Olympic Games, his first being Atlanta 1996.
He has won three medals at the Asian Games as of 2024. |
| Milestones |
By competing at Paris 2024 he becomes the first Japanese athlete to take part in seven editions of the Summer Olympics. He previously shared the record of six with diver Ken Terauchi. Japanese ski jumper Noriaki Kasai has appeared at eight Winter Olympics. (kyodonews.net, 17 Jun 2024) |
FEI Database
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www.facebook.com/tsshowjumping 
Taizo Sugitani 
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