Judo is a martial art that goes far beyond physical combat. It is a discipline that requires technique, strategy and a deep understanding of the human body. Over the years, the world has seen the emergence of true icons in this sport, whose achievements and inspiring stories have made them living legends. In this article, we’ll explore the 10 best male judokas of all time, highlighting their careers, achievements and more!
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Best male judokas of all time: a bit about the fight
Judo has its roots in jujutsu, a Japanese martial art developed by samurai centuries ago. The samurai, noble warriors of feudal Japan, used jujutsu techniques to disarm and neutralize opponents in hand-to-hand combat;
However, over time, these techniques evolved to emphasize efficiency and smoothness, giving rise to judo.
Continue reading to discover all the best male judokas of all time!
Modern judo was formalized and systematized by Jigoro Kano (one of the best male judokas of all time!) at the end of the 19th century;
Kano, a dedicated martial arts scholar and practitioner, combined elements of traditional jujutsu with principles of physical education and moral philosophy to create a new discipline – judo. In 1882, he founded the Kodokan, the first judo dojo, where he began teaching his new art to students.
Over time, the martial art began to spread throughout Japan and the world. Kano promoted trips and demonstrations to spread his martial art, while his students traveled abroad to teach judo in other countries;
Continue reading to discover all the best male judokas of all time!
Judo has rapidly gained popularity, becoming a physical and mental activity accessible to people of all ages and backgrounds.
Best male judokas of all time
See our list of the best male judokas of all time:
- Jigoro Kano (Japan)
Titles: Founder of modern judo.
Team: Kodokan Judo Institute.
Curiosities: he created judo as a way of combining Japanese martial traditions with ethical and philosophical values.
Life story: Born in 1860, Kano was a visionary who transformed judo into a globally recognized martial art.
Greatest record: He established the principles of judo, which are still followed today.
Major controversies: None recorded.
- YasuhiroYamashita (Japan)
Titles: Olympic Gold Medal.
Team: Kokushikan University.
Curiosities: Known for his impeccable technique and charisma, he is considered one of the greatest judokas of all time.
Life story: Born in 1957, Yamashita overcame serious injuries to achieve success at the 1984 Olympics.
Highest record: He has not lost in competitions for more than a decade.
Major controversies: None recorded.
- Teddy Riner (France)
Titles: 10x World Champion.
Team: Levallois Sporting Club.
Curiosities: Known for his imposing stature and exceptional technical skills.
Life story: Born in 1989, Riner has dominated the world judo scene since his debut.
Highest record: he was undefeated in international competitions for more than eight years.
Major controversies: Controversies about his fighting strategy.
Read on to discover all the best male judokas of all time!
- Ryoko Tani (Japan)
Titles: 7x World Champion, 2x Olympic Gold Medalist.
Team: Kokushikan University.
Curiosities: Known as “Yawara-chan”, she is one of the most decorated judoka in history.
Life story: Born in 1975, Tani has inspired a generation of female judokas around the world.
Major record: More Olympic medals than any other judoka.
Major controversies: None recorded.
- Tadahiro Nomura (Japan)
Titles: 3x Olympic Gold Medalist.
Team: Nihon University.
Curiosities: Known for his determination and technical skill, he is an icon of Japanese judo.
Life story: Born in 1974, Nomura is the only judoka to win three consecutive Olympic gold medals.
Major record: Olympic Champion, an unprecedented achievement.
Major controversies: None recorded.
- Anton Geesink (Holanda)
Titles: 1x Olympic Champion.
Team: Budo Club Vos.
Curiosities: He was the first non-Japanese judoka to win Olympic gold.
Life story: Born in 1934, Geesink defied expectations and made history at the 1964 Olympics.
Major record: Beat the legendary Japanese judoka Akio Kaminaga in the Olympic final.
Major controversies: Criticism from the Japanese community over his victory.
Read on to discover all the best male judokas of all time!
- Kosei Inoue (Japan)
Titles: 3x World Champion, Olympic Gold Medalist.
Team: Tokai University.
Curiosities: Known for his innovative technique and aggressive fighting style.
Life story: Born in 1978, Inoue is revered as one of the greatest judokas of all time.
Highest record: Olympic champion in Sydney 2000.
Major controversies: None recorded.
- Ryunosuke Haga (Japan)
Titles: 4x World Champion.
Team: Kokushikan University.
Curiosities: Known for his refined technique and exceptional defense skills.
Life story: Born in 1942, Haga was a dominant figure in Japanese judo during the 60s and 70s.
Highest record: Highest number of consecutive wins in international competitions.
Major controversies: None recorded.
- Keiji Suzuki (Japan)
Titles: 1x Olympic Champion, 3x World Champion.
Team: Kokushikan University.
Curiosities: Known for his versatility and ability to adapt to different fighting styles.
Life story: Born in 1953, Suzuki is a Japanese judo legend with a career full of achievements.
Highest record: Olympic gold medal in Los Angeles 1984.
Major controversies: None recorded.
- Willem Ruska (Holland)
Titles: 2x Olympic Champion (1972, in two different weight categories), 1x World Champion.
Team: Amsterdam Judo Club.
Curiosities: He was the first judoka to win two Olympic gold medals in different weight categories at the same event (Munich, 1972).
Life story: Born in 1940 in Amsterdam, he was the greatest Dutch judoka to date;
Highest record: His historic achievement of two Olympic gold medals in different weight categories during the 1972 Olympic Games in Munich.
Major controversies: At the 1972 Olympic Games, where he won his two gold medals, was marked by a controversial incident during a fight against Soviet judoka Anatoly Roshchin. The fight resulted in Roshchin being disqualified, sparking debates about the rules and regulations of the sport.
List of the 10 best male judokas of all time
- Jigoro Kano
- Yasuhiro Yamashita
- Teddy Riner
- Ryoko Tani
- Tadahiro Nomura
- Anton Geesink
- Kosei Inoue
- Ryunosuke Haga
- Keiji Suzuki
- Willem Ruska
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