EAST ASIA
Naoto Tobe (Japan, 34) – Athletics
Tobe aims high in OCA AC election
The Tokyo 2020 Olympian holds the national record in men’s high jump at 2.35 metres. He also competed in two Asian Games: Incheon 2014 and Jakarta-Palembang 2018, where he won the bronze medal.
Away from the field, he has been a member of the Japanese Olympic Committee’s Athletes’ Committee for four years and a member of the OCA AC since 2023.
In addition, the 34-year-old Tobe has been a member of the OCA Coordination Committee for the 20th Asian Games Aichi-Nagoya 2026 since 2024, and has also held high positions in athletics governing bodies.
“Throughout my career as a high jumper competing at the highest level of world athletics, I have experienced the opportunities, pressures, challenges and responsibilities that accompany life as an elite athlete,” he said.
“These experiences have shaped not only my identity as an athlete but also my strong belief that athletes should have a meaningful voice in shaping the future of sport.
“Beyond competition, I have worked to ensure that athletes’ perspectives are reflected in the governance and delivery of sport.
“As a Board Member of the Local Organising Committee, I contributed to the successful delivery of the World Athletics Championships Tokyo 2025. I have also served as an athlete representative in the preparation of the Aichi-Nagoya 2026 Asian Games, helping to bring athletes’ voices into discussions about the Games.”
Three candidates are seeking the one place open on the OCA AC for a male representative from East Asia, and Tobe outlines the reasons why athletes should vote for him.
“Because I understand the realities of being an athlete, and I also have experience working within sport organizations to turn athletes’ perspectives into action,” he said.
“I know what it means to pursue excellence, confront challenges and continue searching for solutions. I also recognize that no single person can represent the diversity of Asian athletes without listening to them.
“So my commitment is simple and clear: I will listen to you. I will represent your voice. And I will work to turn your voice into action.”
