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Duke Paoa Kahinu Mokoe Hulikohola Kahanamoku (August 24, 1890 – January 22, 1968) was a Hawaiian competition swimmer who popularized the sport of surfing. A Native Hawaiian, he was born to a minor noble family less than three years before the overthrow of the Hawaiian Kingdom.
Duke Kahanamoku (left) receiving a gold medal from King Albert I of Belgium at the Olympics in Antwerp, 1920. (more) Kahanamoku set three universally recognized world records in the 100-yard freestyle between July 5, 1913, and September 5, 1917 (53 seconds; broken by Johnny Weissmuller in 1922).
The legend of Duke Kahanamoku, the father of modern surfing and double Olympic champion in Antwerp. At the Antwerp 1920 Games, Hawaiian champion Duke Kahanamoku became the first swimmer to win the Olympic 100m freestyle twice in a row. This came after his first title eight years earlier in Stockholm.
Kahanamoku, nicknamed "The Duke" and "The Big Kahuna," is considered the father of modern surfing. The Hawaiian won five Olympic medals as a swimmer but also showed off in the movie industry, politics, and business life. Duke had five brothers and three sisters.
Olympic Champion. A swimmer of unprecedented natural talent, Duke burst onto the scene by crushing world records by 4.6 seconds in his very first swim race in Honolulu harbor’s open waters. His Olympic career was equally phenomenal: spanning two decades, four Games, and six medals.
Aug 24, 2015 · Duke Paoa Kahanamoku was the greatest swimmer of his time. He won the 100-meter freestyle race in the 1912 and 1920 Olympics and at one time held every freestyle record up to a...
Won Olympic gold medal and set world record for 100-meter freestyle, Stockholm; also won a silver medal on the 4 x 200-meter freestyle relay team. Introduced surfing to U.S.’s Atlantic coast.
May 3, 2022 · Here is an extensive timeline of the many milestones in the life of Duke Kahanamoku.
Swimmer Duke Kahanamoku of Hawaii made his first Olympic appearance in 1912. Competing in the 100m freestyle, he equalled the world record in a qualifying heat. In the final, he was so far ahead that at the halfway point that he was able to look back and survey the field.
May 23, 2022 · He regained his form and in 1920, at age 29, Kahanamoku added two more Olympic gold medals to his collection, defending his 100 freestyle title in world-record time and leading a USA podium sweep. He also anchored Team USA to 4x200 freestyle relay gold.
