5 Olympians who defied all odds to glory

#2 Tommy Kono

Tommy Kono was Mr. Universe three times

At the age of 13, Tommy Kono found himself in an internment camp as a child who suffered from asthma. The rigorous life in the detention centres in the middle of desers didn’t leave any scope for Kono but to indulge his time lifting weights. What came as a blessing in disguise for Kono was the desert air that resulted in him getting rid of his asthma.

Once the war got over, people could see the potential in Kono and despite his family being in detention, the Sacramento-born decided to lift for the USA. Keeping his potential in mind, he was allowed to not join the army and stay in the country while the Korean War raged. The faith paid off as he won the Gold in the 1952 Olympics and followed it up with another in the 1956 Olympics.