Tadahiro Nomura
Encyclopedia
is one of the most famous judo
competitors in Japan. He is the only judoka in the world who has won three Olympic gold medals in a row, all in the extra lightweight (-60 kg) division.
, who won a gold medal at the 1984 Summer Olympics
. Nomura's uncle, Toyokazu Nomura
, was also a gold medalist at the 1972 Summer Olympics
in the (-70 kg) division.
Nomura began learning judo at his grandfather's called dojo
at age six. He was successful in several local and national level competitions during high school and junior-high school, and entered Tenri University
in 1993. He won the All-Japan judo championships
for his weight class in April, 1996, to gain a spot on the Japanese olympic team for the 1996 Summer Olympics
held in Atlanta, United States
. Though relatively unknown at the world level at the time, he won his first olympic gold medal on July 26, 1996, defeating Girolamo Giovinazzo
by seoi nage
.
Nomura swept the All-Japan judo championships again in 1997, and won a gold medal at the 1997 World Judo Championships
in Paris
to reinforce his position as the premier competitor at his weight class. After winning the All-Japan judo championships for the third consecutive year in 1998, he injured his left knee in the Jigoro Kano Cup
semi-finals on January 9, 1999, and was forced to retire from the competition. He did not participate in competitions for the rest of the year to recover from this injury and to complete his degree in health education.
Nomura made his return at the All-Japan judo championships in 2000, winning the competition for the third time to gain a second trip to the olympics. He became the first -60 kg division competitor to win consecutive olympic gold medals on September 16, 2000 by defeating Jung Bu-Kyung
of South Korea
by sumi otoshi
only 14 seconds into the match.
Nomura married former model Yoko Sakai in May, 2001. He won the All-Japan judo championships for the first time in three years (fourth total win) in April, 2003 to advance to the 2003 World Judo Championships
where he made a disappointing bronze medal finish. He won the Japanese nationals for the second consecutive year (fifth total win) in April, 2004, which enabled him to seek an unprecedented third consecutive olympic gold medal at the 2004 Summer Olympics
in Athens
. On August 14, 2004 he achieved this feat with a win over Nestor Khergiani
of Georgia
. This made Nomura the only olympic judo practitioner to have won three consecutive gold medals, and the first olympic competitor from Asia
to win three consecutive gold medals in any competition. This was also the 100th gold medal won by Japan in the Summer Olympics.
Nomura did not participate in judo competitions after the 2004 olympic final, but on January 10, 2006, he announced his intention to seek a fourth consecutive gold medal at the 2008 Summer Olympics
in Beijing
. He made his return with a win at an international tournament held in the Czech Republic
, and won the All-Japan judo championships for the sixth time in 2007. In 2008, however, Nomura failed to qualify for the 2008 Olympic Games when, on April 5, he was defeated by Daisuke Asano in the semifinals of the -60kg category at the National Weight Class Invitational Tournament, which represented the last opportunity to clinch the berth as the Japanese athlete in the -60kg category. A day after his defeat, Nomura made it known, through a spokesperson, his intention to retire from competitive judo. On April 25, he underwent knee surgery, although it remains unknown whether this injury might have played any role in his unexpected elimination from the aforementioned Olympic-qualifying competition.
He announced he will continue his career and intends to qualify for the Olympics in London 2012.
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...
competitors in Japan. He is the only judoka in the world who has won three Olympic gold medals in a row, all in the extra lightweight (-60 kg) division.
Biography
Nomura was born into a family of judoka. His grandfather was a local judo instructor, and his father was the coach of Shinji HosokawaShinji Hosokawa
is a retired Japanese judoka who won two Olympic medals during the 1980s.-Biography:Hosokawa began judo in junior-high school, and won the Japanese inter-high school judo competition in 1977...
, who won a gold medal at the 1984 Summer Olympics
1984 Summer Olympics
The 1984 Summer Olympics, officially known as the Games of the XXIII Olympiad, was an international multi-sport event held in Los Angeles, California, United States in 1984...
. Nomura's uncle, Toyokazu Nomura
Toyokazu Nomura
is a retired judoka who competed in the half middleweight division.-Biography:Nomura was born into a family of judoka. His father was the founder of a local judo dojo, and his brother was also an instructor who taught Olympic gold medalist Shinji Hosokawa. His nephew, Tadahiro Nomura, is the only...
, was also a gold medalist at the 1972 Summer Olympics
1972 Summer Olympics
The 1972 Summer Olympics, officially known as the Games of the XX Olympiad, were an international multi-sport event held in Munich, West Germany, from August 26 to September 11, 1972....
in the (-70 kg) division.
Nomura began learning judo at his grandfather's called 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...
at age six. He was successful in several local and national level competitions during high school and junior-high school, and entered 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...
in 1993. He won 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....
for his weight class in April, 1996, to gain a spot on the Japanese olympic team for the 1996 Summer Olympics
1996 Summer Olympics
The 1996 Summer Olympics of Atlanta, officially known as the Games of the XXVI Olympiad and unofficially known as the Centennial Olympics, was an international multi-sport event which was celebrated in 1996 in Atlanta, Georgia, United States....
held in Atlanta, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. Though relatively unknown at the world level at the time, he won his first olympic gold medal on July 26, 1996, defeating Girolamo Giovinazzo
Girolamo Giovinazzo
Girolamo Giovinazzo is an Italian judoka.He won two Olympic medals, in 1996 and 2000.-Achievements:-References:* on JudoInside.com*...
by seoi nage
Seoi Nage
is a shoulder throw, one of the traditional forty throws of Judo as developed by Jigoro Kano. It belongs to the first group, Dai Ikkyo, of the traditional throwing list, Gokyo , of Kodokan Judo. It is also part of the current 67 Throws of Kodokan Judo...
.
Nomura swept the All-Japan judo championships again in 1997, and won a gold medal at the 1997 World Judo Championships
1997 World Judo Championships
The 1997 World Judo Championships were the 20th edition of the World Judo Championships, and were held in Paris, France in 1997.-Men:-Women:- Medals table :-60 kg:-65 kg:-71 kg:-78 kg:-86 kg:-95 kg:-+95 kg:-Open class:-48 kg:...
in Paris
Paris
Paris is the capital and largest city in France, situated on the river Seine, in northern France, at the heart of the Île-de-France region...
to reinforce his position as the premier competitor at his weight class. After winning the All-Japan judo championships for the third consecutive year in 1998, he injured his left knee in the Jigoro Kano Cup
Jigoro Kano Cup
The Grand Slam Tokyo is an international judo competition held as part of the IJF Grand Slam series. The 2010 event is planned for December 11-13.- Men :- Women :...
semi-finals on January 9, 1999, and was forced to retire from the competition. He did not participate in competitions for the rest of the year to recover from this injury and to complete his degree in health education.
Nomura made his return at the All-Japan judo championships in 2000, winning the competition for the third time to gain a second trip to the olympics. He became the first -60 kg division competitor to win consecutive olympic gold medals on September 16, 2000 by defeating Jung Bu-Kyung
Jung Bu-Kyung
Jung Bu-Kyung is a South Korean judoka and professional mixed martial artist.- Judo career :...
of South Korea
South Korea
The Republic of Korea , , is a sovereign state in East Asia, located on the southern portion of the Korean Peninsula. It is neighbored by the People's Republic of China to the west, Japan to the east, North Korea to the north, and the East China Sea and Republic of China to the south...
by sumi otoshi
Sumi Otoshi
,is one of the original 40 throws of Judoas developed by Jigoro Kano.It belongs to the fifth group,Gokyo, of the traditional throwing list,Gokyo , of Kodokan Judo.It is also part of the current 67 Throws of Kodokan Judo....
only 14 seconds into the match.
Nomura married former model Yoko Sakai in May, 2001. He won the All-Japan judo championships for the first time in three years (fourth total win) in April, 2003 to advance to the 2003 World Judo Championships
2003 World Judo Championships
The 2003 World Judo Championships were the 23rd edition of the World Judo Championships, and were held in Osaka, Japan from 11 September to 14 September 2003.-Men:-Women:- Medals table :-60 kg:14 September - Final-66 kg:13 September - Final...
where he made a disappointing bronze medal finish. He won the Japanese nationals for the second consecutive year (fifth total win) in April, 2004, which enabled him to seek an unprecedented third consecutive olympic gold medal at the 2004 Summer Olympics
2004 Summer Olympics
The 2004 Summer Olympic Games, officially known as the Games of the XXVIII Olympiad, was a premier international multi-sport event held in Athens, Greece from August 13 to August 29, 2004 with the motto Welcome Home. 10,625 athletes competed, some 600 more than expected, accompanied by 5,501 team...
in Athens
Athens
Athens , is the capital and largest city of Greece. Athens dominates the Attica region and is one of the world's oldest cities, as its recorded history spans around 3,400 years. Classical Athens was a powerful city-state...
. On August 14, 2004 he achieved this feat with a win over Nestor Khergiani
Nestor Khergiani
Nestor Khergiani is a Georgian judoka.He has been a scholarship holder with the Olympic Solidarity program since August 2001.-Achievements:-References:* on JudoInside.com...
of Georgia
Georgia (country)
Georgia is a sovereign state in the Caucasus region of Eurasia. Located at the crossroads of Western Asia and Eastern Europe, it is bounded to the west by the Black Sea, to the north by Russia, to the southwest by Turkey, to the south by Armenia, and to the southeast by Azerbaijan. The capital of...
. This made Nomura the only olympic judo practitioner to have won three consecutive gold medals, and the first olympic competitor from Asia
Asia
Asia is the world's largest and most populous continent, located primarily in the eastern and northern hemispheres. It covers 8.7% of the Earth's total surface area and with approximately 3.879 billion people, it hosts 60% of the world's current human population...
to win three consecutive gold medals in any competition. This was also the 100th gold medal won by Japan in the Summer Olympics.
Nomura did not participate in judo competitions after the 2004 olympic final, but on January 10, 2006, he announced his intention to seek a fourth consecutive gold medal at the 2008 Summer Olympics
2008 Summer Olympics
The 2008 Summer Olympics, officially known as the Games of the XXIX Olympiad, was a major international multi-sport event that took place in Beijing, China, from August 8 to August 24, 2008. A total of 11,028 athletes from 204 National Olympic Committees competed in 28 sports and 302 events...
in Beijing
Beijing
Beijing , also known as Peking , is the capital of the People's Republic of China and one of the most populous cities in the world, with a population of 19,612,368 as of 2010. The city is the country's political, cultural, and educational center, and home to the headquarters for most of China's...
. He made his return with a win at an international tournament held in the Czech Republic
Czech Republic
The Czech Republic is a landlocked country in Central Europe. The country is bordered by Poland to the northeast, Slovakia to the east, Austria to the south, and Germany to the west and northwest....
, and won the All-Japan judo championships for the sixth time in 2007. In 2008, however, Nomura failed to qualify for the 2008 Olympic Games when, on April 5, he was defeated by Daisuke Asano in the semifinals of the -60kg category at the National Weight Class Invitational Tournament, which represented the last opportunity to clinch the berth as the Japanese athlete in the -60kg category. A day after his defeat, Nomura made it known, through a spokesperson, his intention to retire from competitive judo. On April 25, he underwent knee surgery, although it remains unknown whether this injury might have played any role in his unexpected elimination from the aforementioned Olympic-qualifying competition.
He announced he will continue his career and intends to qualify for the Olympics in London 2012.
Video
- http://www.judovision.org/?s=Tadahiro%20Nomura Competition videos of Tadahiro Nomura at Judovision