Yoshimi Masaki
Encyclopedia
is a retired Japanese judo
ka who is currently a professor at Tenri University
.
, where he was awarded as an outstanding competitor at the All-Japan Collegiate Judo Championships four times. Yasuhiro Yamashita
, Seigo Saito
, Yasuyuki Muneta, and Yohei Takai
are the only other judoka in history who received the award four times. Masaki continued to work and train at the university after graduating, but was unable to gain a spot on the Japanese national judo team as the third-string competitor behind Yasuhiro Yamashita and Hitoshi Saito
. However, when Saito entered in both the +95 kg and Open weight categories of the 1985 World Judo Championships
, he was severely injured in the final of the +95 kg competition, forcing him to give up his spot in the Open weight category. Masaki filled in as a last-minute replacement, and defeated Mohamed Rashwan in the final to become world champion in the Open weight category. He continued his success with consecutive wins at the All-Japan Judo Championships
from 1986–1987, and was scheduled to enter the 1987 World Judo Championships
but withdrew due to an injury (his replacement, 19-year old Naoya Ogawa
, went on to win the tournament to become the youngest world champion at the time). Though seen as the favorite to represent Japan in the Open weight category at the 1988 Summer Olympics
, Masaki was defeated by Naoya Ogawa and Hitoshi Saito in qualification tournaments and did not make an appearance at the Olympics.
Masaki has continued to work for Tenri University after retiring, both as a judo instructor and a professor in sports science
. He has also worked as an instructor for the All-Japan Judo Federation.
Judo
is a modern martial art and combat sport created in Japan in 1882 by Jigoro Kano. Its most prominent feature is its competitive element, where the object is to either throw or takedown one's opponent to the ground, immobilize or otherwise subdue one's opponent with a grappling maneuver, or force an...
ka who is currently a professor at Tenri University
Tenri University
is a Japanese private university in Tenri, Nara Prefecture, an independent part of the secular mission of Tenrikyo. It was established in February 1925 as the coeducational , enrolling 104 students, and was reorganised as a university in April 1949...
.
Biography
Masaki began judo during elementary school, and graduated from Tenri Highschool and Tenri UniversityTenri University
is a Japanese private university in Tenri, Nara Prefecture, an independent part of the secular mission of Tenrikyo. It was established in February 1925 as the coeducational , enrolling 104 students, and was reorganised as a university in April 1949...
, where he was awarded as an outstanding competitor at the All-Japan Collegiate Judo Championships four times. Yasuhiro Yamashita
Yasuhiro Yamashita
is one of the most successful judo competitors of all time. He currently works as an instructor or advisor for numerous organizations, including Tokai University, the International Judo Federation, and the...
, Seigo Saito
Seigo Saito
is a retired Japanese judoka.Saito is from Sapporo, Hokkaidō. He belonged to Asahi Kasei after graduation from Kokushikan University in 2000....
, Yasuyuki Muneta, and Yohei Takai
Yohei Takai
is a Japanese judoka. He won a bronze medal at the open category of the 2005 World Judo Championships.He is from Kanagawa Prefecture. After graduation from Kokushikan University, He belongs to Asahi Kasei whichi former world champion, Hiroshi Izumi and Masato Uchishiba are also belong...
are the only other judoka in history who received the award four times. Masaki continued to work and train at the university after graduating, but was unable to gain a spot on the Japanese national judo team as the third-string competitor behind Yasuhiro Yamashita and Hitoshi Saito
Hitoshi Saito
is a retired judoka who won two consecutive gold medals at the Olympic games.-Biography:Saito began judo in junior-high school, and in 1974, he was scouted to transfer to the Kokushikan junior-high school, located in Setagaya, Tokyo. He continued to practice judo at the Kokushikan high school, and...
. However, when Saito entered in both the +95 kg and Open weight categories of the 1985 World Judo Championships
1985 World Judo Championships
The 1985 World Judo Championships were the 14th edition of the World Judo Championships, and were held in Seoul, South Korea from September 26–29 1985.-Men:- Medals table :...
, he was severely injured in the final of the +95 kg competition, forcing him to give up his spot in the Open weight category. Masaki filled in as a last-minute replacement, and defeated Mohamed Rashwan in the final to become world champion in the Open weight category. He continued his success with consecutive wins 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 1986–1987, and was scheduled to enter the 1987 World Judo Championships
1987 World Judo Championships
The 1987 World Judo Championships were the 15th edition of the World Judo Championships, and were held in Essen, West Germany from November 19–22, 1987.-Men:-Women:- Medals table :...
but withdrew due to an injury (his replacement, 19-year old Naoya Ogawa
Naoya Ogawa
Naoya Ogawa is a Japanese former world judo champion, Olympic silver medalist, professional wrestler and mixed martial artist...
, went on to win the tournament to become the youngest world champion at the time). Though seen as the favorite to represent Japan in the Open weight category at the 1988 Summer Olympics
1988 Summer Olympics
The 1988 Summer Olympics, officially known as the Games of the XXIV Olympiad, were an all international multi-sport events celebrated from September 17 to October 2, 1988 in Seoul, South Korea. They were the second summer Olympic Games to be held in Asia and the first since the 1964 Summer Olympics...
, Masaki was defeated by Naoya Ogawa and Hitoshi Saito in qualification tournaments and did not make an appearance at the Olympics.
Masaki has continued to work for Tenri University after retiring, both as a judo instructor and a professor in sports science
Sports science
Sport science is a discipline that studies the application of scientific principles and techniques with the aim of improving sporting performance...
. He has also worked as an instructor for the All-Japan Judo Federation.