Kazuzo Kudo (1898–1970) is a former Judo instructor and author. Kudo was born in 1898. Kudo reached the 9th dan in…Kazuzo Kudo (1898–1970) is a former Judo instructor and author. Kudo was born in 1898. Kudo reached the 9th dan in 1967. Kudo was the author of Judo books, Judo in Action Throwing Techniques, and Judo in Action Grappling Techniques. He was also the author of Dynamic Judo. By 1970, he was the sole living person to have studied under Kanō Jigorō. In the same year he served as the director of the Kodokan Judo Institute. He died in 1970.
Yaichihyōe Kanemitsu (金光 弥一兵衛, Kanemitsu Yaichihyōe; March 30, 1892 – December 25, 1966) was a judoka who was…Yaichihyōe Kanemitsu (金光 弥一兵衛, Kanemitsu Yaichihyōe; March 30, 1892 – December 25, 1966) was a judoka who was influential in the development of kosen judo. He is credited with the invention of judo techniques like sankaku-jime and hiza-juji-gatame, which were subsequently incorporated into other disciplines, including sambo, Brazilian jiu jitsu and mixed martial arts. He was also known as the teacher of Yasuichi and Naoichi Ono, who took part in the earlier Brazilian vale tudo scene.
Tsunetane Oda (小田常胤, Oda Tsunetane; March 10, 1892 – February 11, 1955) was a judoka who was influential in the…Tsunetane Oda (小田常胤, Oda Tsunetane; March 10, 1892 – February 11, 1955) was a judoka who was influential in the development of Kosen judo. His correct name was Tsunetane Oda, but through a misinterpretation of the kanji 常胤 he is more commonly known as Join.
Isuke Shinmen (23 October 1889 – 8 September 1967) was a Japanese judoka and wrestler. He competed in the men's…Isuke Shinmen (23 October 1889 – 8 September 1967) was a Japanese judoka and wrestler. He competed in the men's freestyle lightweight at the 1928 Summer Olympics.
Gunji Koizumi (小泉 軍治, Koizumi Gunji; 8 July 1885 – 15 April 1965), known affectionately by colleagues as G.K., was a…Gunji Koizumi (小泉 軍治, Koizumi Gunji; 8 July 1885 – 15 April 1965), known affectionately by colleagues as G.K., was a Japanese master of judo who introduced this martial art to the United Kingdom, and came to be known as the 'Father of British Judo.' He was the founder of the Budokwai, a pioneering Japanese martial arts society in England. Koizumi helped establish the British Judo Association, and founded the European Judo Union. He held the rank of 8th dan in judo. Koizumi's apparent suicide in 1965 shocked the worldwide judo community.
Kyuzo Mifune (三船 久蔵, Mifune Kyūzō; April 21, 1883 – January 27, 1965) was a Japanese judoka and one of the greatest…Kyuzo Mifune (三船 久蔵, Mifune Kyūzō; April 21, 1883 – January 27, 1965) was a Japanese judoka and one of the greatest exponents of the art of judo after the founder, Kanō Jigorō. He is considered by many to be the greatest judo technician ever, after Kanō.
Otávio Maeda (born Mitsuyo Maeda [Japanese: 前田 光世]; November 18, 1878 – November 28, 1941) was a Japanese and Brazilian…Otávio Maeda (born Mitsuyo Maeda [Japanese: 前田 光世]; November 18, 1878 – November 28, 1941) was a Japanese and Brazilian judōka, catch wrestler, and prizefighter who is considered one of the fathers of Brazilian Jiu-jitsu. He was commonly known by the nickname Conde Koma. Maeda was the head of the second generation of Kodokan judōka, and was integral to the martial art's expansion into the United States during the 1900's. Along with Soshihiro Satake, he pioneered judo in Brazil, the United Kingdom, and other countries during the following decades, eventually becoming a naturalized Brazilian citizen and a promoter of Japanese immigration to Brazil. Maeda was fundamental to the development of Brazilian jiu-jitsu, including through his teaching of Carlos Gracie and others of the Gracie family. His accomplishments led to him being called the "toughest man who ever lived".
Tokugoro Ito (1878-January 22, 1939) was a Japanese judoka and professional wrestler. Ito was one of the founding…Tokugoro Ito (1878-January 22, 1939) was a Japanese judoka and professional wrestler. Ito was one of the founding fathers of mixed martial arts in Brazil.
Kunisaburo Iizuka (飯塚 国三郎, Iizuka Kunisaburō; July 13, 1875 – July 25, 1958) was a Japanese judoka and the fifth person…Kunisaburo Iizuka (飯塚 国三郎, Iizuka Kunisaburō; July 13, 1875 – July 25, 1958) was a Japanese judoka and the fifth person to be promoted to 10th dan in Kodokan judo. Iizuka started judo training at Keio Gijuku in 1889, but broke off his training the following year to attend naval academy in Tokyo. Although the academy had no judo club, Iizuka saw a man carrying a judogi one day, and followed him to the Kodokan; he enrolled as a student there in November, 1891. In 1906, Iizuka returned to Keio to take a job as judo coach to Keio University, where he taught Kaname Kuniyuki, Chuji Sakata and Yoshio Sugino, among others. He was one of the first of Jigoro Kano's students to be awarded a judan (10th-dan) ranking, in 1946. As well as teaching judo, Iizuka was also an ordained negi (Shinto priest) at Fukuoka Prefectural Shuyukan Senior High School, and was master of the Imperial Fisheries Institute.
Hajime Isogai (磯貝 一, Isogai Hajime; October 26, 1871 – April 19, 1947) was an early student of judo and the second…Hajime Isogai (磯貝 一, Isogai Hajime; October 26, 1871 – April 19, 1947) was an early student of judo and the second person to be promoted to 10th dan. He was considered to be a newaza expert, although was also famed by his tachiwaza as well. He was an early promoter of the kosen judo circuit.
Mataemon Tanabe (田辺 又右衛門, Tanabe Mataemon; 1869–1942) was a Japanese jujutsu practitioner and master of the Fusen-ryū…Mataemon Tanabe (田辺 又右衛門, Tanabe Mataemon; 1869–1942) was a Japanese jujutsu practitioner and master of the Fusen-ryū school. He became famous for defeating multiple members of the Kodokan in challenge matches, and came to be considered one of the greatest modern jujutsuka.
Shiro Saigo (西郷四郎, Saigō Shirō; February 4, 1866 – December 22, 1922) was one of the earliest disciples of Judo. Saigo…Shiro Saigo (西郷四郎, Saigō Shirō; February 4, 1866 – December 22, 1922) was one of the earliest disciples of Judo. Saigo, together with Tsunejiro Tomita, became first in history of judo to be awarded Shodan by the founder of judo Jigoro Kano, who established the kyu-dan ranking system. He was one of the Kōdōkan Shitennō or Four Guardians of the Kodokan along with Yoshitsugu Yamashita, Sakujiro Yokoyama, and Tsunejiro Tomita.
Yamashita Yoshitsugu (山下 義韶, February 16, 1865 – October 26, 1935), also known as Yamashita Yoshiaki, was a Japanese…Yamashita Yoshitsugu (山下 義韶, February 16, 1865 – October 26, 1935), also known as Yamashita Yoshiaki, was a Japanese judoka. He was the first person to have been awarded 10th degree red belt (jūdan) rank in Kodokan judo, although posthumously. He was also one of the Four Guardians of the Kodokan, and a pioneer of judo in the United States.
Maki Tsukada (塚田 真希, Tsukada Maki) (born 5 January 1982) is a Japanese judoka, who was born in Shimotsuma, Ibaraki…Maki Tsukada (塚田 真希, Tsukada Maki) (born 5 January 1982) is a Japanese judoka, who was born in Shimotsuma, Ibaraki Prefecture. She won the Women's +78 kg category gold medal at the Athens Olympics in 2004 and the silver medal at the 2008 Beijing Olympics. In September 2003, Tsukada won the silver medal at the World championships in Osaka, Japan. In September 2005, she won the bronze medal at the World championships in Cairo, Egypt. She won gold at the 2007 World Championships in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
Misato Nakamura (中村 美里, Nakamura Misato; born 28 April 1989) is a Japanese judoka. She won the bronze medal in the -52…Misato Nakamura (中村 美里, Nakamura Misato; born 28 April 1989) is a Japanese judoka. She won the bronze medal in the -52 kg weight class at the 2008 Summer Olympics and 2016 Summer Olympics and the gold medal in the same weight class at the 2009 World Judo Championships, the 2011 World Judo Championships and 2015 World Judo Championships. Nakamura began working as a television commentator for judo in 2018.
Ayumi Tanimoto (谷本 歩実, Tanimoto Ayumi) born 4 August 1981, in Anjo, Aichi, is a Japanese judoka. She was coached by…Ayumi Tanimoto (谷本 歩実, Tanimoto Ayumi) born 4 August 1981, in Anjo, Aichi, is a Japanese judoka. She was coached by Toshihiko Koga, who is a gold medalist at the Barcelona Olympics and a silver medalist at the Atlanta Olympics Men's Judo. Tanimoto won the Women's –63 kg category gold medal at the Athens Olympics in 2004 and at the Beijing Olympics in 2008. In September 2005, she won the silver medal at the World judo championships in Cairo, Egypt.
