Representing Japan, Taizo Sugitani has competed at six Summer Olympics (in 1996, 2000, 2004, 2008, 2012 and 2016). He placed 11th in team jumping in 2000. Meanwhile, his current best individual Olympic placement is 15th place from Athens in 2004.

Sugitani also competed at six World Equestrian Games and at two Show Jumping World Cup finals (in 2000 and 2007).

Sugitani won two bronze medals at the 2014 Asian Games in Incheon, South Korea.

Taizo comes from an equestrian family. His father Masayasu Sugitani competed in showjumping at the Olympic Games in 1968, 1972 and 1976, and his grandfather Koichi Kawaguchi competed in showjumping at the 1956 Olympic Games.

In 2015 Hyperion Stud joined forces with Taizo Sugitani.