10 The Famous Judoka in Japan 2

I will also show other famous Japanese judoka in addition to Toshihiko Koga and Kosei Inoue. Ryuta Ishii is known as a tall man. He was born in Chiba prefecture in 1987. His height is 193cm and his weight is 135kg. His favorite waza is osotogari. He began to do judo when he was ten years old. When he was a third grader in his high school, he ranked second in an interscholastic athletic meet. After he entered Tokai University, He became the champion in Japanese Junior Judo Meet and challenged World Junior Judo Meet but he lost to Teddy Riner, who is a French judoka, at semifinal. After he graduated from Tokai University, he obtained a job in JRA. JRA is a public company of central horse racing. In 2011 he won the championship at Kodokan Games. In this game, he beat Yasuyuki Muneta with his favorite waza; osotogari.

 

As well as Ryuta Ishii, Shinichi Shinohara is good at osotogari. He is born in Aomori prefecture in 1973. His height is 190cm and his weight is 135kg.When he was a junior high school student, he began to do judo. When he was a student at Tenri University, his judo talent bloomed because of his build, technique and power. As the result, he won at many judo games during his campus life. In 2000 he took part in Sydney Olympic Games and got silver medal. This final game are generally known as misjudgment. Two referees of three decided that his opponent; David Douillet, who is a French judoka, won with ippon, but the truth that Shinichi won at that game was accepted by The International Judo League analyzing a video of the game after Sydney Olympic. He never blamed referees and David. He only said that he lost because he is weak. Now he is a supervisor of Japanese judo delegation.

 

I think Ryoko Tani is the most famous judoka in Japan. Her nickname is Yawarachan. This nickname came from judo comic; Yawara. She was born in Fukuoka prefecture in 1975. She got gold medals twice at Sydney Olympic Games and Athens Olympic Games. At the other Olympic Games she took part in she got silver and bronze medals, in other words she got medals at all the Olympic Games she participate. She also got gold medals seven times at World Judo Games. She has worked as a member of the House of Councilors since she retired from judo.