2. MEDALISTS 7 - 5

7. Kato Sawao - 12 Medals, 8 Gold
Country: Japan
Sport: Gymnastics

A member of the dominant Japanese men's gymnastic team of the 60s and 70s, Kato was born in the Niigata prefecture in Japan. His first Olympics was in 1968, where he won gold in the combined and floor exercises, as well as bronze in the rings, and team gold overall. In 1972 and 1976 Kato grabbed some more gold. In 1992, Kato made an amazing reappearance, as a stoned houseguest offering testimony at the O.J. Simpson trial.

6. Paavo Nurmi - 12 Medals, 9 Gold
Country: Finland
Sport: Track & Field

Apart from having a Pokemon named after him, Paavo was a famous Finnish track and field star of the roaring 20s, known as the "Flying Finn." He was born in the town of Abo, and was the first runner prepare by timing his laps (to run at a consistent speed). He competed in the 1920, 1924 and 1928 Olympics and won his share of medals, as you can see.

An interesting story about old Nurmi is that after winning gold in his specialty (the 10,000 meters) in 1920, the Finnish officials wouldn't let him run that race in 1924 because they had another Finn they wanted to win . . . who then won. Nurmi was back in 1928, however, and took the gold back. Trivia tie-breaker: he also carried the torch at the 1952 Olympics in Helsinki.


5. Takashi Ono - 13 Medals, 5 Gold
Country: Japan
Sport: Gymnastics

Part of the aforementioned Japanese dominance of men's gymnastics, Ono was born in Noshiro City, Japan, and had his first success in gymnastics at the age of 18, winning the National High school championship. Fortunately, he went on to win slightly more prestigious competitions.

His first Olympics was in 1952 in Helsinki. Nurmi trotted out with the torch, Ono won one bronze medal, and then he went back home to Japan. It was during the 1956 Melbourne games that Ono really hit his stride, winning five gold medals, including one at his specialty, the horizontal bar. More medals would follow in 1960 and 1964, but he is best known for the move that bears his name, the "Ono" - which is still being used in horizontal bar competition today - and, of course, for breaking up the Beatles.