Neko Hiroshi Explained

Birth Date:8 August 1977
Birth Place:Ichihara, Chiba, Japan
Weight:45kg (99lb)
Sport:Marathon
Updated:22 July 2012

, more commonly known as, is a Cambodian owarai comedian who uses his short stature, at 1.45m (04.76feet) and 45kg (99lb), 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.

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 138th place, next to last.

External links

Notes and References

  1. News: ja:猫ひろしは五輪を辞退せよ! ネットで呼びかけ広がる. Japanese. J-Cast. 2012-04-02. http://www.j-cast.com/2012/04/02127558.html. 2012-04-06.
  2. News: Comedian Neko to represent Cambodia at Olympic marathon. Kyodo News. 2012-03-25. 2012-04-06. https://web.archive.org/web/20120325172628/http://english.kyodonews.jp/news/2012/03/148805.html. 2012-03-25.
  3. News: Against the Odds: Hem Bunting. BBC News. 2008-07-21. 2012-04-06.
  4. Web site: IAAF rejects comedian Neko as Cambodian entrant in Olympic marathon. 9 May 2012. The Japan Times Online. The Japan Times Ltd.. Japan. 19 May 2012.
  5. Web site: Marathon runner Neko aims for success in Rio Games, hopes to be role model for Cambodians. The Japan Times Online. 21 August 2016. 3 June 2016.