Hiroshi Yamamoto, a 41-year-old secondary school teacher, had won a bronze medal in the individual event at the 1984 Olympic Games and had competed in every edition of the Olympic Games from 1984 to 1996. He had failed to qualify in 2000 and had attempted to retire from the sport, but he reversed his decision thanks to the encouragement of his pupils. During the tournament, he broke an Olympic record with 115 points. The individual final pitted Yamamoto against the Italian Marco Galiazzo. “I remember queuing with Mr Galiazzo in a narrow tunnel at the Panathenaic Stadium,” he later explained. “When the official gave me a little pat on the back, I found myself at the entrance in the bright light and heard a huge roar as my name was announced. I simply thought to myself: ‘Let’s make a great shot’.” Galiazzo won the match, beating Yamamoto 111–109.