Charles "Sparky" Kawamoto
Charles Kawamoto | |
| Biographical details | |
|---|---|
| Born | July 6, 1908 Hilo, Territory of Hawaii, U.S. |
| Died | April 7, 1982 (aged 73) Hilo, Hawaii, U.S. |
| Coaching career (HC unless noted) | |
| 1935-1950's | Schinmachi Town Swim Club Hilo Aquatics Club |
| 1951-1970's | Hilo High School |
| 1956 | U.S. Olympic Team Asst. Coach |
| Accomplishments and honors | |
| Awards | |
| Hawaii Sportsman of the Year (1952) Hawaii Swimming Hall of Fame (2002) | |
Charles "Sparky" Kiyoichi Kawamoto (July 6, 1908 – April 7, 1982) was an American swimming coach. Kawamoto was most notable for coaching Yoshi Oyakawa who won the gold medal in the men's 100-meter backstroke at the 1952 Summer Olympics.
In the 1930s, Kawamoto founded the Hilo Aquatic Club in Hilo, Hawaii. After World War II, Kawamoto became a head coach for the Hilo High School swimming team. Kawamoto also coached Olympic swimmer Sonny Tanabe who helped the United States win a silver medal in the men's 4x200 meter freestyle relay at the 1956 Summer Olympics.