Akio Kaminaga
Encyclopedia
was a judoka who competed in the 1964 Summer Olympics
.
, and began learning judo during high school; a considerably late start for a top competitor. Kaminaga improved his techniques at a quick pace, and took a dan rank
exam at the Kodokan Institute
at the suggestion of his colleagues during his senior year in high school. Kaminaga defeated 19 straight opponents in the exam, and was awarded a third dan ranking on the spot.
However, Kaminaga was completely outclassed when he participated in the Meiji University
judo team's sparring sessions. This convinced him to enter Meiji University, and he continued to practice judo at the Kodokan Institute. Kaminaga had several career choices after graduating, but became an employee of Fuji Steel (current Nippon Steel
) at the recommendation of Meiji University alumnus and 1958 World Judo Championships
gold medalist Koji Sone
. He finished in second place behind Sone in the 1958 World Championships, and won a then-unprecedented three championships at the All-Japan Judo Championships
from 1960–1961 and 1964 to become the top heavyweight judo competitor in Japan along with Isao Inokuma
. Inokuma would remain Kaminaga's rival and close friend throughout his life.
Judo became an Olympic sport for the first time in the 1964 Summer Olympics
held in Tokyo
, and Kaminaga entered the competition bearing great expectations as the Japanese representative for the open weight category. However, he suffered a knee ligament injury shortly before the competition, and participated in the tournament hiding this injury. He reached the Olympic finals on October 23, but was defeated by Dutch judoka Anton Geesink
, who pinned Kaminaga with a Kesa-Gatame
to become the first non-Japanese judoka to win an Olympic medal in judo. Japan won all of the gold medals in the judo competition that year excluding Kaminaga's participation in the open weight competition, and the Japanese media criticized Kaminaga for failing to follow suit. Kaminaga retired from competitive judo in 1965 after suffering a detached retina
.
Kaminaga become the head coach of the Meiji University judo team in 1968 at the advice of Koji Sone, where he taught future Olympic gold medalist Haruki Uemura
. He also served as a coach of the Japanese judo team for the 1972 Summer Olympics
, but resigned from his post at Meiji University after one of his pupils, Masatoshi Shinomaki, lost in the preliminary round of the tournament. He lived as a salaryman
afterwards, while continuing his affiliation with judo officials. He became the head coach for the Japanese Olympic judo team for the 1992 Summer Olympics
, but died a year later in 1993 from colon cancer at age 56.
1964 Summer Olympics
The 1964 Summer Olympics, officially known as the Games of the XVIII Olympiad, was an international multi-sport event held in Tokyo, Japan in 1964. Tokyo had been awarded with the organization of the 1940 Summer Olympics, but this honor was subsequently passed to Helsinki because of Japan's...
.
Biography
Kaminaga was born in Sendai, Miyagi PrefectureMiyagi Prefecture
is a prefecture of Japan in the Tōhoku Region on Honshu island. The capital is Sendai.- History :Miyagi Prefecture was formerly part of the province of Mutsu. Mutsu Province, on northern Honshu, was one of the last provinces to be formed as land was taken from the indigenous Emishi, and became the...
, and began learning judo during high school; a considerably late start for a top competitor. Kaminaga improved his techniques at a quick pace, and took a dan rank
Dan rank
The ranking system is a Japanese mark of level, which is used in modern fine arts and martial arts. Originally invented in a Go school in the Edo period, this system was applied to martial arts by Kanō Jigorō, the founder of judo and later introduced to other East Asia countries.In the modern...
exam at the Kodokan Institute
Kodokan
, or the Kodokan Institute, is the headquarters of the worldwide judo community. Literally, kō means "to lecture" or "to spread information," dō means "the way," and kan is "a public building or hall," together translating roughly as "a place for the study or promotion of the way." The Kodokan was...
at the suggestion of his colleagues during his senior year in high school. Kaminaga defeated 19 straight opponents in the exam, and was awarded a third dan ranking on the spot.
However, Kaminaga was completely outclassed when he participated in the Meiji University
Meiji University
is a private university in Tokyo and Kawasaki, founded in 1881 by three lawyers of the Meiji era, Kishimoto Tatsuo, Miyagi Kōzō, and Yashiro Misao. It is one of the largest and most prestigious Japanese universities in Tokyo, Japan....
judo team's sparring sessions. This convinced him to enter Meiji University, and he continued to practice judo at the Kodokan Institute. Kaminaga had several career choices after graduating, but became an employee of Fuji Steel (current Nippon Steel
Nippon Steel
, also referred to as , was formed in 1970. Nippon Steel Corporation is the world's 4th largest steel producer by volume.-Early years:Nippon Steel was created by the merger of two giants, Yawata Iron & Steel and Fuji Iron & Steel...
) at the recommendation of Meiji University alumnus and 1958 World Judo Championships
1958 World Judo Championships
The 1958 World Judo Championships were the 2nd edition of the World Judo Championships, and were held in Tokyo, Japan on November 30, 1958.-Men:- Medals table :...
gold medalist Koji Sone
Koji Sone
was a Japanese judoka and world champion.He was born in the city Chichibu, Saitama and started judo in his childhood. His father was a 6th Dan in judo and his uncle a 9th Dan. Sone is a university-trained judoka from Meiji University...
. He finished in second place behind Sone in the 1958 World Championships, and won a then-unprecedented three championships at the All-Japan Judo Championships
All-Japan Judo Championships
is a judo tournament held every year in Japan. The men's tournament is held in Nippon Budokan on April 29 and the women's tournament is held in Yokohama Cultural Gymnasium in April. The Kodokan and All-Japan Judo Federation sponsor the championship....
from 1960–1961 and 1964 to become the top heavyweight judo competitor in Japan along with Isao Inokuma
Isao Inokuma
was a judoka who competed in the +80 kg and Open divisions.- Biography :Inokuma was born in Yokosuka, Kanagawa, and began judo at age 15. He entered the Tokyo University of Education and won the All-Japan Judo Championships in 1959 at only 21 years of age to become the first student competitor to...
. Inokuma would remain Kaminaga's rival and close friend throughout his life.
Judo became an Olympic sport for the first time in the 1964 Summer Olympics
1964 Summer Olympics
The 1964 Summer Olympics, officially known as the Games of the XVIII Olympiad, was an international multi-sport event held in Tokyo, Japan in 1964. Tokyo had been awarded with the organization of the 1940 Summer Olympics, but this honor was subsequently passed to Helsinki because of Japan's...
held in Tokyo
Tokyo
, ; officially , is one of the 47 prefectures of Japan. Tokyo is the capital of Japan, the center of the Greater Tokyo Area, and the largest metropolitan area of Japan. It is the seat of the Japanese government and the Imperial Palace, and the home of the Japanese Imperial Family...
, and Kaminaga entered the competition bearing great expectations as the Japanese representative for the open weight category. However, he suffered a knee ligament injury shortly before the competition, and participated in the tournament hiding this injury. He reached the Olympic finals on October 23, but was defeated by Dutch judoka Anton Geesink
Anton Geesink
Antonius "Anton" Johannes Geesink was a Dutch 10th-dan judoka from Utrecht. He was a three-time World Judo Champion , Olympic Gold Medalist and won 21 European championships...
, who pinned Kaminaga with a Kesa-Gatame
Kesa-Gatame
Cuellito is one of the seven mat holds,Osaekomi-waza, of Kodokan Judo.In grappling terms, it is categorized as aside control hold.Nuquita is one of the Shime arts in Danzan Ryu Jujitsu...
to become the first non-Japanese judoka to win an Olympic medal in judo. Japan won all of the gold medals in the judo competition that year excluding Kaminaga's participation in the open weight competition, and the Japanese media criticized Kaminaga for failing to follow suit. Kaminaga retired from competitive judo in 1965 after suffering a detached retina
Retinal detachment
Retinal detachment is a disorder of the eye in which the retina peels away from its underlying layer of support tissue. Initial detachment may be localized, but without rapid treatment the entire retina may detach, leading to vision loss and blindness. It is a medical emergency.The retina is a...
.
Kaminaga become the head coach of the Meiji University judo team in 1968 at the advice of Koji Sone, where he taught future Olympic gold medalist Haruki Uemura
Haruki Uemura
is a former judoka from Japan, who won the gold medal in the Open Class at the 1976 Summer Olympics in Montreal. In the final of the Olympic tournament in Canada he defeated Great Britain's Keith Remfry....
. He also served as a coach of the Japanese judo team for the 1972 Summer Olympics
1972 Summer Olympics
The 1972 Summer Olympics, officially known as the Games of the XX Olympiad, were an international multi-sport event held in Munich, West Germany, from August 26 to September 11, 1972....
, but resigned from his post at Meiji University after one of his pupils, Masatoshi Shinomaki, lost in the preliminary round of the tournament. He lived as a salaryman
Salaryman
refers to someone whose income is salary based; particularly those working for corporations. Its frequent use by Japanese corporations, and its prevalence in Japanese manga and anime has gradually led to its acceptance in English-speaking countries as a noun for a Japanese white-collar...
afterwards, while continuing his affiliation with judo officials. He became the head coach for the Japanese Olympic judo team for the 1992 Summer Olympics
1992 Summer Olympics
The 1992 Summer Olympic Games, officially known as the Games of the XXV Olympiad, were an international multi-sport event celebrated in Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain, in 1992. The International Olympic Committee voted in 1986 to separate the Summer and Winter Games, which had been held in the same...
, but died a year later in 1993 from colon cancer at age 56.
See also
- List of judoka
- List of Olympic medalists in judo
- Videos of Kaminaga at the Olympics 1964 Tokyo