USA Olympic Veteran Receives Huge Cultural Honor, As He Gets Awarded for Major Water Polo Contribution

2024 is the Olympic year, and along with it, rolled in untold Olympic moments or success stories that had once captured hearts. The swimming domain has always made more waves than all other sports. The greatest Olympian of all time, Michael Phelps, also hails from the aquatics. But before him, another Olympian had made headlines not only for his greatness in the pool but also beyond.

Sonny Tanabe, aka Richard Tsugio Tanabe Jr., used his Olympic knowledge to coach at the high school level and also train future Olympians for historic feats. Born in Hawaii, Tanabe had represented Team USA at the 1956 Summer Olympics in Melbourne. After garnering love for his skills in the water, Tanabe, at age 91, has made the right call to give back to his Hawaiian family. That effort was recognized recently.

Olympic legend garnered love for a unique deed

USA Water Polo’s official X handle has posted great news to celebrate the swimming veteran. The caption reads, “Congrats to Richard “Sonny” Tanabe who introduced water polo to the Interscholastic League of Hawaii among many other aquatic accolades. He was honored recently in Hawaii”. Tanabe has disregarded age limitations to give back to the community, which stands as a testament to years of coaching. In addition, the picture paired with the caption features the 91-year-old with layers of garland around his neck, posing alongside the GM of Duke’s Waikiki. The Ho’okahiko Award is popularly known to honor individuals who take Hawaiian culture and traditions forward.

In his post-ceremony speech, the Olympic veteran said, “Since I retired in 1997, I’ve been involved with the YMCA promoting diving, spearfishing, and swimming, just meeting with different groups of people”. Watermen, musicians, craftsmen, and artisans fall short of recognition. So, this move of Tanabe will be etched in Hawaiian history. Let’s take a look at his storied career.

Sonny Tanabe: The man of the moment

Not only did he promote Water Polo, but his contributions are written in the annals of history. The advancement of water sports and safety in Hawaii caught his attention, especially. With time, he worked towards attaining one goal after another. He introduced the exciting sport of Water Polo to the Interscholastic League of Honolulu. Not only that, but the Kamehameha Swim Club for future greats.

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In 2014, Sonny Tanabe was inducted into the Duke Kahanamoku Foundation’s Hawaii Waterman Hall of Fame. Going back to 2003, he received the Hawaii Swimming Hall of Fame as well. In the ceremony, Tanabe’s family joined the former coworkers of the Kamehameha Schools Kapalam PE department to celebrate over lunch. Like Tanabe’s story captured the attention of global fans, the world wants more such men to surface for good.

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