International Volleyball Hall of Fame - Holyoke, Massachusetts USA
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class of 2004

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Seiji Oko

Born: February 15, 1948 in Kawasaki, Kanagawa Prefecture (Japan)
Enshrined: 2004
Country: Japan
Category: Male Indoor Player

BIOGRAPHY

Seiji Oko was often referred to as a powerful hitter and “Big Horse”, and his style of play certainly reflected those titles. Along with his teammate Jungo Morita he created the “Golden Age” of NKK volleyball. He will forever be remembered for is immense skill and poise on and off the volleyball court.

Oko was born in Kanagawa Prefecture in 1948 and started playing volleyball while he was in Junior High. In 1967 he joined the Japanese National Team at the age of nineteen. He quickly became the powerful attacker of the team. In 1968 his team won the silver medal at the Olympics in Mexico. From there the Japanese National Team went on to take second place at the World Cup in 1969 and third place at the World Championships in 1970.

The pinnacle of Oko’s international career came in 1972 when his Japanese National team won the gold medal at the Olympics in Munich. Not only was he the ace spiker on the team, he was also a valuable leader.

On a domestic scale, Oko captured many honors at home in the Japan League. He earned tons of respect by winning the MVP award twice, Distinguished Fighting-Spirit twice, The Best Spiker three times, The Best Blocker three times and he also made the Best 6 (Players) List an amazing seven times.

Oko played in his last Olympics in 1976 in Montreal where his team took fourth place. However, Oko made it to two more Olympics, 1984 and 1992, as a head coach. In 2001 Oko was appointed as Vice-Chairman of the National Men’s Team’s Board and in 2003 he was elected as a board member of the Japan Volleyball Association.

Both on and off the court Oko has dedicated his life to the expansion of volleyball not only in his own country but worldwide as well.

CLASS OF 2004

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Karolyn Kirby
Female Beach Player
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Mireya Luis
Female Indoor Player
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Josef Musil
male Indoor Player
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Seiji Oko
Male Indoor Player
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International Volleyball ​Hall of Fame
444 Dwight Street
Holyoke, MA  01040  USA
Phone: +1 413.536.0926
Email: info@volleyhall.org
Volleyball is the Official Recreational and Team Sport ​of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

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  • PLAN YOUR VISIT
    • Hours & Admission
    • BUY MUSEUM TICKETS
    • Group Tours
    • PRIVATE EVENT RENTALS
  • HALL OF FAMERS
    • Inductees
    • Eligibility & Nominations
    • Awards
    • Induction Celebration
  • Events
    • Induction >
      • Induction Celebration
      • Induction Tickets
      • Induction Yearbook
    • Morgan Classic
    • Girls VolleyHall Classic
    • Boys VolleyHall Classic
    • Battle of the Badges
    • Summer Classic Grass Tournament
  • MUSEUM
    • Virtual Museum Tour
    • In The Museum
    • Digital Exhibits >
      • William G Morgan - Father of Volleyball
      • History of Volleyball
      • Basketball & Volleyball
  • SUPPORT
    • Donate Today
    • Donor Listing
    • Memberships
    • AmazonSmile
    • Hall of Fame Training
  • NEWS
  • SHOP
  • About Us
    • Internship Program
    • Leadership & Staff