Yoshimi Ōsawa
Ōsawa in 1953
Born(1926-03-06)6 March 1926
Munakata Village, Inba District, Chiba Prefecture, Japan (now part of Inzai City)
Died21 October 2022(2022-10-21) (aged 96)
Japan
Native name大澤慶巳 Ōsawa Yoshimi
ResidenceTokyo, Japan
StyleJudo
Rank10th dan judo

Yoshimi Ōsawa (大澤慶巳, Ōsawa Yoshimi, 6 March 1926 – 21 October 2022) was a Japanese judoka.[1][2] Before his death, he was the only living Kodokan 10th dan (and one of only 15 to have attained this rank), having been promoted at the New Year Kagami Biraki Ceremony, 8 January 2006 along with Toshiro Daigo and Ichiro Abe.[2][3]

Biography

Ōsawa was born 6 March 1926 in Munakata Village, Inba District, Chiba Prefecture, Japan (now part of Inzai City).[1] He was educated at Waseda University and later became a judo instructor there. Osawa weighed in at 145 lbs. but competed against all sizes.[4] Although at times he went as big as 5' 6", 160 lbs.[5] He was highly regarded as a Judo technician, particularly for his ashi-waza and, although a lightweight, was considered a favourite to win the All-Japan Judo Championships[6] and defeated the 1948 champion Yasuichi Matsumoto to win the Fukuoka tournament in November 1948. After he retired, he made a trip to Brazil.[5] He was challenged by Helio Gracie, who had previously been defeated by Kimura.[5] As a coach, he was forced to decline the match.[5] Osawa was a primary author of the book Kodokan Judo: A Guide to Proficiency.[7] Osawa was the head instructor at Waseda University.[8] Osawa was considered to be one of the top technicians in Judo post World War II.[6]

Ōsawa died from pneumonia on 21 October 2022, at the age of 96.[1]

References

  1. 1 2 3 "Obituary: Yoshimi Osawa 10th Dan", Kodokan Judo Institute, 21 October 2022, retrieved 21 October 2022
  2. 1 2 Jones, Llyr, "Kodokan 10th Dan Promotions", Judo Info, retrieved 5 December 2011
  3. ↑ Ohlenkamp, Neil, "Profiles of Kodokan 10th Dan Holders", Judo Info, retrieved 5 December 2011
  4. ↑ Nishioka, Hayward; West, James R. (1 January 1979). The Judo Textbook in Practical Application. Black Belt Communications. ISBN 9780897500630.
  5. 1 2 3 4 Bunasawa, Nori; Murray, John. The Toughest Man Who Ever Lived. Innovations, Inc. and Judo Journal. ISBN 9780964898424.
  6. 1 2 "Masahiko Kimura Bio". judoinfo.com. Retrieved 24 March 2016.
  7. ↑ Inc, Active Interest Media (1 June 1965). Black Belt. Active Interest Media, Inc. {{cite book}}: |last= has generic name (help)
  8. ↑ Judo Illustrated. Judo Illustrated, Incorporated. 1 January 1970.
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