Takao Kuwamoto

Takao Kuwamoto (桑元 孝雄)

• Bats Right, Throws Right
• Height 5' 9", Weight 150 lb.

• High School Buso High School

• Born March 24, 1970 in Kanagawa Prefecture Japan

Olympics-Reference page

Biographical Information

Takao Kuwamoto was an infielder for the Japanese national team. He played in the 1996 Olympics, going 2 for 12 with a double as the backup to Makoto Imaoka at 2B. He handled 7 chances without an error. In the Gold Medal game, he was the last batter, pinch-hitting for Tomoaki Sato in the 9th inning with a 13-9 deficit. He was retired by Pedro Luis Lazo of Cuba as Japan settled for the Silver Medal. In the 1997 Asian Championship, he was with Japan as they again won Silver. In the 1997 Intercontinental Cup, he hit .318/.423/.455 with 7 runs in 8 games, splitting second base with the even more effective Yosuke Takasu. In the Gold Medal game, he got the start at second base, hitting 3rd against Cuba. He went 3 for 5 with 2 runs and a RBI as Japan cruised to a 11-2 rout of Cuba. It was the first loss for Cuba in six years and their first loss in the finale of an event since 1982.

Kuwamoto never played in Nippon Pro Baseball, spending his career playing and coaching in the industrial leagues.

Source: Defunct IBAF site