is a retired Japan

Japan

Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...

ese judo

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.

He was born in Sasebo, Nagasaki

Sasebo, Nagasaki

is a city located in Nagasaki Prefecture, Japan. As of 2011, the city has an estimated population of 259,800 and the density of 609 persons per km². The total area is 426.47 km². The locality is famed for its scenic beauty. The city includes a part of Saikai National Park...

 and brought up in Bungotakada, Ōita

Bungotakada, Oita

is a city located in Ōita Prefecture, Japan.As of 2003, the city has an estimated population of 18,239 and the density of 146.42 persons per km². The total area is 124.57 km²....

. He began judo at the age of a junior high school first grader.

In 1965, when he was student of 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...

, got silver medal of World Championships

World Judo Championships

The World Judo Championships are the highest level of international judo competition, along with the Olympic judo competition. The championships are held once every year by the International Judo Federation, and qualified judoka compete in their respective categories as representatives of their...

. He also participated 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....

 3 times, as a representative of Kinki region in 1964, 1965 and Kyūshū region

Kyushu

is the third largest island of Japan and most southwesterly of its four main islands. Its alternate ancient names include , , and . The historical regional name is referred to Kyushu and its surrounding islands....

 in 1966. He was known as a rival of Isao Okano

Isao Okano

is a retired judoka who competed in the middleweight division. He was born in Ryūgasaki, Ibaraki, Japan.-Biography:He entered the 1964 Summer Olympics while studying at Chuo University's law school, and won the gold medal in the middleweight division...

.

He became a teacher of the senior high school in Ōita Prefecture

Oita Prefecture

is a prefecture of Japan on Kyūshū Island. The prefectural capital is the city of Ōita.- History :Around the 6th century Kyushu consisted of four regions: Tsukushi-no-kuni 筑紫国, Hi-no-kuni 肥国, and Toyo no kuni...

 after graduation at a university in 1966, and entered Kuraray

Kuraray

is a Japanese manufacturer of chemicals, fibers and other materials founded in Kurashiki, Okayama, but based in Otemachi, Chiyoda, Tokyo and Umeda, Kita-ku, Osaka . , Kuraray was the sole worldwide producer of Vectran liquid crystal polymer fibre....

 in 1967. He became the teacher again in 1969.

As of 2010, Yamanaka coaches judo at his dojo

Dojo

A is a Japanese term which literally means "place of the way". Initially, dōjōs were adjunct to temples. The term can refer to a formal training place for any of the Japanese do arts but typically it is considered the formal gathering place for students of any Japanese martial arts style to...

, since 1976. Among his students is former Asian champion Takamasa Anai

Takamasa Anai

is a Japanese judoka.He began judo at the age of 5.He is Coached by former world champion and olympic silver medalist Shinichi Shinohara. He won the All-Japan Championships and took the bronze medal...

. and retired sumo wrestler Chiyotaikai Ryūji

Chiyotaikai Ryuji

Chiyotaikai Ryūji , is a Japanese former sumo wrestler. He made his professional debut in 1992 and reached the top makuuchi division in 1997. He held the second highest rank of ōzeki or champion for 65 consecutive tournaments from 1999 until 2009, making him the longest serving ōzeki in the modern...

.

Achievements

• 1964 - All-Japan 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....
  
   (Openweight only) loss
• 1965 - World Championships
  World Judo Championships
  The World Judo Championships are the highest level of international judo competition, along with the Olympic judo competition. The championships are held once every year by the International Judo Federation, and qualified judoka compete in their respective categories as representatives of their...
  
  (-80 kg) 2nd

- All-Japan Championships (Openweight only) loss

• 1966 - All-Japan Championships (Openweight only) loss
• 1968 - All-Japan Selected Championships (Middleweight) 3rd