Kokushikan University Judo

Sayonara Geesink San, A Tribute to a Great Judoka and Great Friend ...

Special Edition

My Friend Anton Geesink was born on 6th April 1934 in Utrecht (The Netherlands) and used to live in Anton Geesink Straat. In his hometown there is a monument showing him while he pins down Akio Kaminaga referring to the famous final at the 1964 Tokyo Olympics, which allowed him to conquer the Gold medal when judo was introduced for the first time at the Games.  

Nowadays such an event might not be worth of notice, but in those days he was the first Westerner to defeat a Japanese, which allowed him to be part of judo’s fantastic story, the great discipline founded by Jigoro Kano.

-1st Westerner to be promoted 10th Dan by the International Judo Federation;

-President of the Judo Education and Promotion Commission;

-Since 1987 Member of the International Olympic Committee;

-Head of Technical Delegates at the Olympic Games.

He has written several technical books among which the last one he published in 2000 in English and Japanese at Tokyo Kokushikan University: Based on Social Aspects and Biomechanical Principles, Divided in Two Parts

Before the 1964 Tokyo Olympics, thanks to the generosity of the Shozen Nakayama (9th dan), 2nd Shimbashira of the Tenrikyo, Anton Geesink, Nicola Tempesta and myself have been hosted by Tenri Judo in order to refine our preparation for the Games. We spent a few months there following the traditional trainings at the university, which was quite famous as it was considered the World and Olympic Champion forge. During those days the “Great Sensei” at the university was Yasuichi Matsumoto (9th dan), the first National Japanese Judo Champion (1948).

During our long stay at one of the Nakayama houses we received all attention given to honored guests. Anton was always very kind. He was charismatic, but nevertheless an outstanding friend and often very funny.   

One evening rather late we decided to go for a swim in the city swimming-pool. We were the usual three: the two giants Geesink-Tempesta and myself plus a fellow called Kleine, another Dutch man of about 60kg. Everybody went into the water, but myself as I never liked the beach nor swimming-pools.