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Mitsuo Tsukahara (塚原 光男 Tsukahara Mitsuo, born December 22, 1947) is a Japanese gymnast and Olympic Gold Medalist. Tsukahara is well known for having invented a Vaulting technique called the "Tsukahara vault". It has been in constant use ever since, with Olympic vault champions Monica Rosu, Simona Amanar, Elena Zamolodchikova and Gervasio Deferr both having used Tsukahara entry vaults. He has also invented a technique called the "Moon Somersault" (or "Moon Salto") in the High Bar.
Winning 5 Gold Medals, 1 Silver Medal, and 3 Bronze Medals, Tsukahara was an important factor in the Japanese Men's Gymnastics Team winning the team competition in 3 consecutive olympic games--1968, 1972, and 1976. (Overall, Japan has won the team competition in 5 consecutive olympic games--1960, 1964, 1968, 1972, and 1976).
