Mention the name Tommy
Kono around the world to weightlifters and bodybuilders alike and you’ll get
immediate silence and open ears. You’ll also observe jitters in the crowd
in anticipation of what “pearls of wisdom” comes next from this Olympic weightlifting
Sensei and Grand Master.
In 2007, I had an opportunity to interview Mr. Kono. Click the following link to read this interview in its entirety:
On Father’s Day 2014,
I had another golden opportunity to interview this Olympic weightlifting
legend. Most interviews Mr. Kono grants and the ensuing articles written
are about his instruction and perspectives of Olympic weightlifting, and the
roads he has traveled over a six-decade weightlifting and bodybuilding
journey.
In 2007, I had an opportunity to interview Mr. Kono. Click the following link to read this interview in its entirety:
This interview takes a
different approach. I wanted to learn of his octogenarian reflections
about living and dying, gracefully aging and trying his best to live a good and
honest life; and share them with the world.
So today, on Tommy
Kono’s 84th birthday,
pull up a chair, turn off the television, lower the music, tell the wife and
children to be quiet, and give your undivided attention to what follows in this
exclusive interview.
Pierini Fitness - Mr. Kono,
thank you for this opportunity to interview you again. It’s been seven years
since we last did this. How are you doing today, and what are your dreams
and hopes as you approach your 84th year of life?
Mr. Kono – Everything is going my way. I’m very comfortable with the way
things are going for me. I’ve had a very full year thus far.
Father’s Day was very good. My children called me. My daughter and
her family took me out and we had a nice dinner last evening.
People tell me I look good
when I tell them how old I am. My appearance may look good but, honestly,
I’m worn out.
I’m trying to get my
personal affairs and belongings better organized than the past so when I pass
on everything will be in order.
Pierini Fitness - At this point
in your life, are you still working hard in the gym trying to improve your
strength and fitness?
Mr. Kono - No (laugh) - you know in the old days
when I was young, I worked hard trying to improve my strength and
fitness. Later in life, my focus changed to trying to maintain. Now
my focus is trying to survive.
Pierini Fitness - I know the
last year has been challenging for you with the passing of your two older
brothers within two weeks of each other. What did those experiences teach
you about living and dying and how you want to live the rest of your life?
Mr. Kono - I learned a lot from having to take care of my oldest brother.
In five months, I traveled from Hawaii to Sacramento five times to attend to
his needs. It seemed that no sooner than I returned after a trip that I
had to go back again. It wore me out and made me realize how I better get
my affairs in better order so that when it’s my turn, my family will have peace
of mind that it’s all been arranged and worked out for them.
I also learned that, like
my deceased older brother, I have many belongings I need to part with so I’m
working on passing them along. It’s a little more challenging for me than
it may have been for him or others because I have so many honors and other
special memorabilia that I need to find good homes for rather than just trash.
I also learned from my
experiences in caring for my older brother that I need to take care of
myself. With this realization, I recently stepped down from my volunteer
duties with the Honolulu Marathon after 41 years; that wasn’t easy for me to
do. They still want me to stay involved with their Board of
Directors. I also recently resigned my leadership duties for the Hawaii
Chapter of the Amateur Athletic Union (AAU), an organization I’ve been involved
with for over 20 years.
These departures taught me
that eventually you need to drop out of things at some time. In
hindsight, it really wasn’t that hard to do. I’m actually enjoying being
more relaxed. I should have done this long ago.
Pierini Fitness - Anti-aging is
a popular term used these days to describe those wellness-oriented things we do
to live a better and longer life. This includes medical approaches such
as hormone supplementation, plastic surgery, etc. and non-medical approaches
such as diet, exercise and vitamin supplementation. I prefer using the
term gracefully aging rather than anti-aging.
What pearls of wisdom
can you share with us about your gracefully aging journey?
Mr. Kono - I personally think we’re living too
long. You have more problems as you get older. I’m fortunate that
I’ve survived this long. I never thought I would live this long.
I agree with you;
“gracefully aging” is a much better term than “anti-aging”. The sooner
you realize and recognize that you aren’t as young as you used to be then
you’ll not be as much of a burden to anyone else.
Some people are very vain
when they are young and beautiful so it may be harder for them as they age and
don’t look so young and beautiful.
I personally think aging
is easier for men than women. Women are “penalized” for being beautiful
because it’s harder for them as they age when their youth and physical beauty
are gone. Men, on the other hand, can get away looking older than women.
Pierini Fitness - At this point
in your life, how easy is it for you living a good and honest life and what
does that mean to you?
Mr. Kono - I believe I’ve had lots of great experiences and have met many
people in my travels to many foreign countries.
At this point in my life,
I’d like to share my life experiences and words of wisdom because I know that
once you’re gone, that’s it! Sadly, many people may look at me as a
“relic” because times have changed and some younger people may not understand
what I’m talking about. It’s hard to communicate with the younger
generation. I realize that I can’t force myself on people.
Pierini Fitness - You’ve written two
books that have been well-received by the Olympic weightlifting
community. Might there be another book or other projects in the future?
Mr. Kono - I have a couple of ideas. One is to
write a small booklet about how to serve as an Olympic weightlifting coach to
world class and Olympic-caliber athletes. The other is a small booklet
about my life experiences and reflections because I believe I’ve lived an
unusual life.
Pierini Fitness - One day we’ll
sadly read Tommy Kono’s obituary. Besides the obvious, what little trivia
jewel about your life would you hope is included for the benefit of future
generations of American Olympic weightlifters?
Mr. Kono – It’s better to give than
to receive so whatever I have to share, I know someone will appreciate
it. The other trivia jewels are in my books.
Pierini Fitness - What final
words of wisdom do you have today for all the wise men listening?
Mr. Kono - People don’t want to be pushed but rather
led. If you push them too hard, they won’t do it. That’s why
eastern European Olympic weightlifting training methods have not worked in
America.
Pierini Fitness - I thank you Mr. Kono, for being my
friend and allowing Pierini Fitness to interview you. I extend my prayers
and best wishes to you and your family that the 84th year of your life brings you an
abundance of good faith, family, fitness, fortune and health. So long as you
live, when Tommy Kono speaks, wise men listen.
Long live Tommy Kono
then & now.
Pax Domini sit
semper vobiscum
