In Memoriam ’24 】”He never showed any sign of weakness,” Akira Yamane’s wife saw “Yamane the man.
Tombstone 2024] Sad farewells to stars always come suddenly. We bring you words of regret along with treasured photos.
Akira Yamane
Passed away on January 31 at the age of 84
We will never forget Yamane the man.
Tomomi Yamane (wife)
I still remember Mr. Yamane every day. Before he passed away, I was told by people around me that he was a great man, but I never really felt that way, but after he passed away, I realized the magnitude of his presence.
He made tremendous contributions to the London 2012 Olympics, including leading the team to win a medal for the first time in 44 years. So right before he passed away, I said to him, “You are a person who made history through your dedication to Japanese boxing. Thank you for your hard work,” I said in gratitude. Recently, when I look at Governor Motohiko Saito of Hyogo Prefecture, I remember the days when the chairman was surrounded by the media. But he never showed any sign of weakness at home at that time. I will never forget Yamane, a man who lived with boxing.
From the January 3, 10, and 17, 2025 issue of FRIDAY
PHOTO： Kei Kato
