Strength and Health magazine cover

Kono appeared on on the cover of the August 1955 issue of Strength and Health magazine. In October 1955, he would go on to win gold in the light-heavyweight (82.5 kg) class at the World Championships held in in Munich, West Germany. Kono’s winning total was 435 kg, and consisted of a 142.5 kg press, a 127.5 kg snatch and a 165 kg clean and jerk.