Legends of Judo: How Anton Geesink changed judo forever | CNN

Legends of Judo: How Anton Geesink changed the sport forever

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Published 9:33 AM EST, Fri December 1, 2017
Anton Geesink from Netherlands, poses wearing the gold medal he won in the Judo Open event at the Olympic Games in Tokyo, October 1964. World champion in 1961 and 1965 the giant (2-metre) Dutchman won the European title for individuals 13 times. / AFP PHOTO / - (Photo credit should read -/AFP/Getty Images)
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Anton Geesink: The man who changed judo
01:07 - Source: CNN

Story highlights

Dutch judoka broke Japanese dominance

Geesink won gold at 1964 Tokyo Olympics

CNN  — 

It was the moment that changed judo forever.

For so long the sport was the preserve of Japan, but Dutchman Anton Geesink broke the stranglehold by becoming the first non-Japanese judoka to win the World Championship in 1961.

Legends of Judo: Anton Geesink

1956 World Championships: Bronze1961 World Championships: Gold1964 Olympic Games: Gold1965 World Championships: Gold

The sport was invented in Japan in the 1880s and its judokas were pre-eminent.

When the first World Championships were staged in Tokyo in 1956, Japan’s Shokichi Natsui upheld his country’s honor.

At the second world event back in Tokyo in 1958, Koji Sone added Japan’s second title.

READ: Legends of Judo – Driulis González Morales

But at the next World Championships three years later, Geesink struck.

Anton Geesink won gold at the 1964 Olympics in Tokyo.
Anton Geesink won gold at the 1964 Olympics in Tokyo.
Keystone/Hulton Archive/Getty Images

He had won bronze in 1956, but defeated Sone in the open class in Paris to shock the sport and open it up to the world.

Geesink followed up this feat by bagging gold on judo’s Olympic debut at the 1964 Games in Tokyo. He beat Akio Kaminaga in front of his home crowd to cement his status as one of the best judokas of his generation.

He triumphed again, this time in the heavy class, at the fourth worlds in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil in 1965. He was still the only non-Japanese gold medalist in any of the weight categories at world or Olympic level.

READ: Legends of Judo – Teddy Riner

READ: Legends of Judo – Ryoko Tani, the greatest female judoka ever?

The first judo school dates back to 1882 in Tokyo. Traditionally a Japanese practice, it has gradually spread across the planet and established itself as one of the world's most popular combat sports.
The first judo school dates back to 1882 in Tokyo. Traditionally a Japanese practice, it has gradually spread across the planet and established itself as one of the world's most popular combat sports.
Dan Mullan/Getty Images Europe/Getty Images
Literally meaning "gentle way," judo techniques harness an opponent's force to your own advantage by throwing and pinning them to the ground.
Literally meaning "gentle way," judo techniques harness an opponent's force to your own advantage by throwing and pinning them to the ground.
Ken Ishii/Getty Images AsiaPac/Getty Images
Judo was first seen at the Olympics in Tokyo in 1964, and a women's competition was added at the Barcelona Games in 1992.
Judo was first seen at the Olympics in Tokyo in 1964, and a women's competition was added at the Barcelona Games in 1992.
Central Press/Hulton Archive/Getty Images
No judoka has more world championships gold medals than Teddy Riner. In September 2017, the legendary Frenchman won his ninth title, before hitting double figures at an open weight competition in Marrakech.
No judoka has more world championships gold medals than Teddy Riner. In September 2017, the legendary Frenchman won his ninth title, before hitting double figures at an open weight competition in Marrakech.
ATTILA KISBENEDEK/AFP/AFP/Getty Images
"It is a sport that demands an irreproachable lifestyle," Riner tells CNN, "a sport that demands rigor."
"It is a sport that demands an irreproachable lifestyle," Riner tells CNN, "a sport that demands rigor."
David Ramos/Getty Images South America/Getty Images
On the women's side, Ryoko Tani's record stands out. The Japanese Judoka has seven world titles, and upon her retirement <a href="index.php?page=&url=https%3A%2F%2Fjapantoday.com%2Fcategory%2Fsports%2Fryoko-tani-named-best-female-judoka-ever-by-intl-judo-fderation" target="_blank" target="_blank">was hailed</a> as the "best female judoka ever."
On the women's side, Ryoko Tani's record stands out. The Japanese Judoka has seven world titles, and upon her retirement was hailed as the "best female judoka ever."
OLIVIER MORIN/AFP/AFP/Getty Images
Majlinda Kelmendi tears up after being crowned Kosovo's first ever gold medalist at the Rio Olympics in the women's 52 kg weight category.
Majlinda Kelmendi tears up after being crowned Kosovo's first ever gold medalist at the Rio Olympics in the women's 52 kg weight category.
Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images South America/Getty Images
At 218 kilos, judoka Ricardo Blas Jr. (seen here on the right competing at London 2012) is the world's heaviest Olympian.
At 218 kilos, judoka Ricardo Blas Jr. (seen here on the right competing at London 2012) is the world's heaviest Olympian.
Quinn Rooney/Getty Images Europe/Getty Images
Russian President Vladimir Putin is a judo master, denoted by wearing a black belt.
Russian President Vladimir Putin is a judo master, denoted by wearing a black belt.
ALEXEY DRUZHININ/AFP/AFP/Getty Images
World Judo Championships: An introduction to the 'gentle way'

Geesink retired from competitive judo in 1967 following the last of multiple European titles.

He has a street named after him in his hometown of Utrecht, Netherlands and was honored by the Japanese government for his achievements in judo in 1997.

Where does Anton Geesink rank among judo’s greats? Have your say on CNN Sport’s Facebook page

Geesink died aged 76 in August 2010 but remains a legend in the sport of judo.