Pua Kealoha

Summary

Pua Kele Kealoha (November 14, 1902 – August 29, 1989) was an American competition swimmer, Olympic champion, and former world record-holder. He was not related to Olympic swimming champion Warren Kealoha.[1]

Pua Kealoha
Pua Kealoha in 1920 Hawaii before Olympic tryouts
Personal information
Full namePua Kele Kealoha
National teamUnited States
Born(1902-11-14)November 14, 1902
Waialua, Hawaii
DiedAugust 29, 1989(1989-08-29) (aged 86)
San Francisco, California
Sport
SportSwimming
StrokesFreestyle
ClubHui Makami Club
Medal record
Men's swimming
Representing the United States
Olympic Games
Gold medal – first place 1920 Antwerp 4x200 m freestyle relay
Silver medal – second place 1920 Antwerp 100 m freestyle

Kealoha represented the United States at the 1920 Summer Olympics in Antwerp, Belgium as a 17-year-old.[2] He won a gold medal as a member of the winning U.S. team in the men's 4×200-meter freestyle relay with teammates Perry McGillivray, Norman Ross and Duke Kahanamoku.[2][3] The U.S. relay team set a new world record of 10:04.4 in the event final.[2] Individually, Kealoha also received a silver medal for his second-place performance in the men's 100-meter freestyle and finished with a time of 1:02.6.[2][4]

According to a member of the Kahanamoku family who knew him, Kealoha was the only person to swim unassisted from Molokai to Oahu. He had previously tried to swim from Oahu to Molokai but failed due to the headwind, current, and waves.

See also edit

References edit

  1. ^ "Pua Kele Kealoha". Olympedia. Retrieved 3 September 2021.
  2. ^ a b c d Sports-Reference.com, Olympic Sports, Athletes, Pua Kele Kealoha. Retrieved November 30, 2012.
  3. ^ Sports-Reference.com, Olympic Sports, United States Swimming at the 1920 Antwerpen Summer Games. Retrieved November 30, 2012.
  4. ^ Sports-Reference.com, Olympic Sports, Swimming at the 1920 Antwerpen Summer Games, Men's 100 metres Freestyle Final. Retrieved November 30, 2012.

External links edit

  Media related to Pua Kealoha at Wikimedia Commons