Takao Kawaguchi
Encyclopedia
is a retired judoka who competed in the -63 kg division.
in 1969. He defeated future Olympic gold medalist Toyokazu Nomura
in the finals of the World Judo Championships
in 1971 to become world champion for his weight class, and became the Japanese representative for the -63 kg division at the 1972 Summer Olympics
. After two quick victories in the first and second rounds of the Olympic competition, Kawaguchi faced Mongolian judoka Bakaava Buidaa in the third round, and broke two of his own rib bones as he tried to escape from Buidaa's ground pin. Coach Akio Kaminaga
suggested Kawaguchi withdraw to receive treatment, but Kawaguchi continued on for the rest of the match, and advanced to the semi-final with a close decision victory. Kawaguchi won the semi-final match against Kim Yong-Ik
of North Korea
with a Yoko-Shiho-Gatame
, only to face Buidaa again in the Olympic final. However, unlike the previous match, Kawaguchi quickly put Buidaa on the mat with a Kouchi Gari
, and won with a Kami-Shiho-Gatame only 39 seconds into the match to win the gold medal (Buidaa was later disqualified for failing a drug test). He succeeded his father as head instructor of the Kawaguchi dojo
after retiring from competitive judo.
Biography
Kawaguchi began judo at age 5 under the instruction of his father, who was a local judo instructor. He won the inter-highschool judo tournament in his senior year in high school, and entered Meiji UniversityMeiji University
is a private university in Tokyo and Kawasaki, founded in 1881 by three lawyers of the Meiji era, Kishimoto Tatsuo, Miyagi Kōzō, and Yashiro Misao. It is one of the largest and most prestigious Japanese universities in Tokyo, Japan....
in 1969. He defeated future Olympic gold medalist 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...
in the finals of the World Judo 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...
in 1971 to become world champion for his weight class, and became the Japanese representative for the -63 kg division 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....
. After two quick victories in the first and second rounds of the Olympic competition, Kawaguchi faced Mongolian judoka Bakaava Buidaa in the third round, and broke two of his own rib bones as he tried to escape from Buidaa's ground pin. Coach Akio Kaminaga
Akio Kaminaga
was a judoka who competed in the 1964 Summer Olympics.-Biography:Kaminaga was born in Sendai, Miyagi Prefecture, and began learning judo during high school; a considerably late start for a top competitor. Kaminaga improved his techniques at a quick pace, and took a dan rank exam at the Kodokan...
suggested Kawaguchi withdraw to receive treatment, but Kawaguchi continued on for the rest of the match, and advanced to the semi-final with a close decision victory. Kawaguchi won the semi-final match against Kim Yong-Ik
Kim Yong-ik
Kim Yong Ik , also known as Yong Ik Kim, was an early Korean-American writer, originally from South Korea, and, in particular from Tongyong...
of North Korea
North Korea
The Democratic People’s Republic of Korea , , is a country in East Asia, occupying the northern half of the Korean Peninsula. Its capital and largest city is Pyongyang. The Korean Demilitarized Zone serves as the buffer zone between North Korea and South Korea...
with a Yoko-Shiho-Gatame
Yoko-Shiho-Gatame
is one of the seven mat holds,Osaekomi-waza, of Kodokan Judo.In grappling terms, it is categorized as a side control hold.- Technique description :from http://judoinfo.com/techdrw.htmExemplar Videos:from http://www.abbotsfordjudo.com/techniques/5thkyu.htm...
, only to face Buidaa again in the Olympic final. However, unlike the previous match, Kawaguchi quickly put Buidaa on the mat with a Kouchi Gari
Kouchi Gari
,is one of the original 40 throws of Judoas developed by Jigoro Kano.It belongs to the second group,Dai Nikyo,of the traditional throwing list, Gokyo , of Kodokan Judo.It is also part of the current 67 Throws of Kodokan Judo....
, and won with a Kami-Shiho-Gatame only 39 seconds into the match to win the gold medal (Buidaa was later disqualified for failing a drug test). He succeeded his father as head instructor of the Kawaguchi 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...
after retiring from competitive judo.