() is a Japanese sports equipment and sportswear company, founded in Osaka in 1906 by Rihachi Mizuno. The original Mizuno shop in Osaka was an importer of American golf and baseball equipment. However, Rihachi Mizuno became frustrated with the quality of imported products and sought local Japanese factories who could manufacture to higher specifications. The domestic-made products were labelled with the family name, giving birth to the Mizuno brand. Today, Mizuno is a global corporation which makes a wide variety of sports equipment and sportswear, including equipment used in Judo, golf, tennis, baseball, volleyball, skiing, and athletics.

Trivia

• In 1991, Carl Lewis broke the 100m sprint world record with 9.86 seconds while wearing Mizuno spikes.
• Koji Murofushi, an employee of Mizuno, won the gold medal in the men's hammer throw at the the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens.
• Professional golfer Tiger Woods used Mizuno golf clubs while he was in college.
• New York Yankee left fielder, Hideki Matsui, uses custom made Mizuno baseball bats. It is said he has used Mizuno products since he was in high school.
• Atlanta Braves stars Chipper Jones and Jeff Francoeur wear Mizuno cleats and other accessories.
• New York Mets Two-time Cy Young Award-winning pitcher Tom Glavine wears Mizuno gloves.

External links

• Mizuno Official Website

Companies of Japan | Sporting goods manufacturers | Mizuno | ミズノ | Mizuno | Mizuno