Japan’s equestrian team won a bronze medal in team eventing at the 2024 Paris Olympics, marking the country’s first Olympic equestrian medal in 92 years. The last medal was a gold won by Takeichi Nishi, also known as Baron Nishi, in show jumping at the 1932 Los Angeles Olympics. Nishi, who died during the Battle of Iwo Jima in 1945, is a significant historical figure for Japan’s equestrian sport.

In January, the 2024 Olympic equestrian team—Yoshiaki Oiwa, Kazuma Tomoto, Toshiyuki Tanaka, and Ryuzo Kitajima—visited Iwo Jima to honor Nishi’s legacy. Joined by modern pentathlon silver medalist Taishu Sato, they paid respects at Nishi’s monument and engaged with Self-Defense Forces personnel, reflecting on teamwork and the importance of peace. This pilgrimage symbolically connected Japan’s past and present Olympic equestrian achievements.