Yukimitsu Kano passed away (87)

Yukimitsu Kano passed away at the age of 87 years. Kano was the fourth president of the Kodokan and the President of the All Japan Judo Federation between 1980 and 2009. Yukimitsu was the son of Risei Kano and grandson of the founder of Judo Jigoro Kano. He served from 1980 to 1995 as the President of the Judo Union of Asia. He is an advocate of Kodokan Judo over the International Judo Federation.

Kano Yukimitsu was the grandson of Kano Jigoro, the founder of judo. Without Master Jigoro Kano, the sport simply would not exist. In 1882 he created judo, when he was only 22 years old. 135 years later, judo became a major Olympic sport and Paralympic sport and an educational tool for the youth of the world. While constantly evolving, it has remained committed to the values that Kano has defined.

During the summer of 2017, the International Judo Federation had the privilege of meeting Kano Yukimitsu. In that exclusive interview he recalled memories of his grandfather and explained his own vision of judo, as Mr. Kano Yukimitsu has also played an important role in judo in Japan as well as in the rest of the world.

Mr. Kano explained that when he said in front of his grandfather that he wanted to find a role model and become like that person later, the founder of judo replied: “You should not try to be like somebody else. You are who you are.“ This is a perfect illustration of how judo can help to build better citizens, to grow a better society. Kano Jigoro was not only teaching the theory, he made sure all could understand the fundamentals and he wanted his students to put his teachings into practice in society.

Kano Yukimitsu profile

April 1980 – March 2009: Fourth President of Kodokan, Second President of AJJF

September 1980 – October 1995: President of Judo Union of Asia

April 2009 -: Honorary President of Kodokan and AJJF