Emiko Terayama, née Emiko Miyamoto, who won the gold medal in women's volleyball at the 1964 Tokyo Olympics and was the ace attacker of the Japan national team, who was called the "Witch of the East," died of sepsis on the 7th of this month. He was 86.
Mr. Terayama was born in Wakayama City, and after graduating from Wakayama Prefectural Commercial High School, he joined Nichibo Kaizuka, a powerhouse in the business group, and gained strength under the strict guidance of coach Hirofumi Omatsu, who was known as "Demon Omatsu."
At the 1964 Tokyo Olympics, she participated as an ace attacker for the Japan women's volleyball team, known as the "Witch of the East," and contributed greatly to winning the gold medal with a series of powerful spikes from a southpaw with a height of 1 meter 72 cm.
After retiring, he lived in Hitachi City, Ibaraki Prefecture for many years, and was actively involved in teaching volleyball and giving lectures, mainly in the prefecture.
According to relatives, Terayama died of sepsis at a hospital in Takahagi City just after 7 a.m. on the 8th of this month.
He was 86.