Neko Hiroshi

Kuniaki Takizaki (瀧﨑 邦明, Takizaki Kuniaki, born August 8, 1977 in Ichihara, Chiba), more commonly known as Neko Hiroshi (猫 ひろし, Neko Hiroshi), is a Japanese-born owarai comedian who uses his short stature, at 1.45 meters (4 ft 9 in) and 45 kilograms (99 lb), and cat persona in his act. He is also an avid marathon runner. In 2011, he became a naturalized citizen of Cambodia, and intended to compete in the Olympics for Cambodia.

Neko Hiroshi
Takizaki at the 2016 Summer Olympics
Personal information
Born (1977-08-08) August 8, 1977
Ichihara, Chiba, Japan
Height1.45 m (4 ft 9 in)
Weight45 kg (99 lb)
Sport
Country Cambodia
SportMarathon
Updated on 22 July 2012.

Cambodian citizenship

In March 2012, the National Olympic Committee of Cambodia announced that Hiroshi had been nominated to represent Cambodia in the marathon at the 2012 Summer Olympics, having been chosen for a "special exemption" after no Cambodian athletes met the qualifying standard.[1] Hiroshi, a naturalized Cambodian citizen since 2011, had participated in half-marathons held in Cambodia for over a year and reached the podium at least twice.[2] He received criticism from, among others, Japanese double Olympic marathon medalist Yuko Arimori, whose charity helps develop and train Cambodian athletes in addition to funding their journeys to international competitions. Opponents of Hiroshi's selection for the Olympic Games claim that there are Cambodian-born athletes more deserving of the special exemption,[1] such as Hem Bunting who has won two long-distance medals at the Southeast Asian Games since 2007.[3]

In May 2012, the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) ruled that Hiroshi was not eligible to represent Cambodia in the 2012 Olympic Games, as a period of one year had not elapsed since his gaining Cambodian nationality.[4] He was, however, selected to represent Cambodia in the 2016 Summer Olympics in the men's marathon.[5] He finished the Olympic marathon in 139th place, next to last.

References
  1. 猫ひろしは五輪を辞退せよ！ ネットで呼びかけ広がる (in Japanese). J-Cast. 2012-04-02. Retrieved 2012-04-06.
  2. "Comedian Neko to represent Cambodia at Olympic marathon". Kyodo News. 2012-03-25. Archived from the original on 2012-03-25. Retrieved 2012-04-06.
  3. "Against the Odds: Hem Bunting". BBC News. 2008-07-21. Retrieved 2012-04-06.
  4. "IAAF rejects comedian Neko as Cambodian entrant in Olympic marathon". The Japan Times Online. Japan: The Japan Times Ltd. 9 May 2012. Retrieved 19 May 2012.
  5. "Marathon runner Neko aims for success in Rio Games, hopes to be role model for Cambodians". The Japan Times Online. 3 June 2016. Retrieved 21 August 2016.
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