Koichi Oita

Koichi Oita
Personal information
Full name	Koichi Oita
Date of birth	April 9, 1914
Place of birth	Tokyo, Japan
Date of death	September 11, 1996 (aged 82)
Place of death	Bunkyo, Tokyo, Japan
Height	1.74 m (5 ft 8+1⁄2 in)
Position(s)	Defender
Youth career
Years	Team
????	Mito High School
????–1937	Tokyo Imperial University
National team
Years	Team
1936	Japan
Teams managed
Years	Team
1947–1956	Sumitomo Metal

Koichi Oita (種田孝一, Oita Koichi, April 9, 1914 – September 11, 1996) was a Japanese football player. He played for the Japan national team.

Biography[change | change source]

Oita was born in Tokyo Metropolis on April 9, 1914. In 1936, when he was a Tokyo Imperial University student, he was selected the Japan national team for 1936 Summer Olympics in Berlin. At this competition, on August 4, he debuted against Sweden. Although he was a midfielder, he played as a defender. Japan completed a come-from-behind victory against Sweden. The first victory in Olympics for the Japan and the historic victory over one of the powerhouses became later known as "Miracle of Berlin" (ベルリンの奇跡) in Japan. In 2016, this team was selected Japan Football Hall of Fame. On August 7, he also played against Italy. He played 2 games for Japan in 1936.

After retirement, in 1947, Oita became a manager for new club Sumitomo Metal and managed until 1956.

September 11, 1996, Oita died of heart failure in Bunkyo, Tokyo at the age of 82.