Akio Usami: key obituary facts
Is Akio Usami dead? Yes. Akio Usami died on October 26, 2026, at age 83.
Cause of death: Akio Usami's cause of death was reported as Cancer.
What was Akio Usami known for?
Akio Usami was a Japanese Olympic long-distance runner.
More about Akio Usami
Born: May 31, 1943.
Nationality: Japanese.
Akio Usami, a Japanese Olympic long-distance runner, died of cancer on October 26, 2026, aged 83.
Born May 31, 1943, in Tsubame, Niigata, Japan, he represented his country in the marathon at the 1968, 1972 and 1976 Summer Olympics. His Olympic appearances spanned three consecutive editions of the Games, with the marathon as his event each time.
Usami’s most important marathon victory came in 1970 at the Fukuoka Marathon. He ran 2:10:37.8, a personal best that also set a Japanese record at the time, and finished nearly a minute ahead of runner-up Kenny Moore. The result came between his first and second Olympic appearances. In 1974, Usami won the British AAA Championships title, adding a championship victory in Britain to his record as a marathon runner. His name in Japanese is written 宇佐美 彰朗.