Top 10 Greatest Judokas of All Time

Top 10 greatest judokas of all time.
Judo was created in Japan in 1882, and since then the sport has been widespread, especially in competitive tournaments. Over time, the philosophy and pedagogy of judo served as a model for the development of other modern Japanese martial arts. Judo became a worldwide phenomenon in the sports and martial arts industry and led to the development of several offshoots, such as Brazilian jiu-jitsu and sambo. Thanks to the widespread popularity of judo around the world, many successful judokas have won great respect among millions of fans of this martial art, they are admired, they are set as an example of mastery, and people try to repeat, and even to surpass their success.
In today's video I present to you some of these successful and well-respected judokas, namely the ten greatest judokas of all time who have managed to reach the highest heights in judo. The main criterion for compiling this list is the victory of these judokas at the most prestigious international competitions, such as the Olympics and world championships.

[aarnt]

In Japan it is said "No one before Kimura, No one after Kimura"

[stevediamond]

It's astonishing that this ranking completely omits Isao Okano. In my opinion, he is number one on the list. As a middleweight, he won the All Japan Judo Championships twice...in the OPEN division....defeating men who outweighed him by nearly 100 pounds (1967 and 1969. He was second in 1968). And of course, he won gold in the 1964 Olympics, and gold in the 1965 World Championships.

[christophermaksymowicz]

You missed Pawel Nastula --312 consecutive wins from Feb 1994-March 1998.

[gmeister]

I think that Kano, Mifune, Kimura also deserve a spot here truthfully

[blairbradbury]

How about a judoka that has won 5 Olympic Medals (2 are gold) and 7 consecutive World Championships in an era when World Championships were every second year rather than every year. Easily the best pound-for-pound judo competitor ever.
Affectionately known in Japan as "Yawara Chan", she is Ryoko Tamura/Tani

[jp.i]

Thanks a lot for your video. I may have missed something but I didn't see Shōzō Fujii, four consecutive world champions (1971, 1973, 1975, 1979). I can assure you that those who saw him fight still remember him, he was certainly one of the most beautiful judoka of all time.

[paweurba]

Paweł Nastula had the longest series of victories, he defeated over 200 opponents, from 1994 to 1998 he was undefeated. He became the Olympic champion in Atlanta in 1996, a two-time world champion and a three-time European champion

[glum]

Great video that should be updated as there is no question today that Teddy Riner is the one and only one GOAT. No doubt allowed after his 2 gold medals in Paris 2024.

[Kaya-jp]

Riner is the goat, 5 olympics titles and 12 times world champion. Japan has been trying to find a judoka to beat him for 15 years, not to happen.❤

[PGGMusic]

Wim Ruska being in this is list is well deserved.

[SOG-xbqh]

Having trained in Boxing, , , Muay - Thai, , , BJJ, , , Jeet-Kune-Do & Kuntao Silat, , , I still feel incomplete in a sense. I have always had a deep respect for Judokas, , , because that life is not easy & it takes the heart of a Lion to push & persevere thru all the adversity. I hope soon to start practicing & add to my skillset this fine beautiful & deadly art.

[AlwaysfitnessInternational]

I met Anton Gesink in Brussels European championships in 1980, I was a 60 kg competitor, he was already retired and was huuuge, twice my body size hahaha nice big man. I remember Yanashita too :-)

[ghigopigo]

Great Video! However is sad not to see some great names on this list like Ono, Koga, Galstjan, Isaev, Kim Jae-Bum and more

[NabDel]

Teddy Riner 🎖 is the best.

🥋 Olympics games :
Beijin 2008 / 🥉
London 2012 / 🥇
Rio 2016 / 🥇
Tokyo / 🥉🥇
Paris 2024 / 🥇🥇

🥋 World championships :
Rio 2007 / 🥇
Levallois 2008 / 🥇
Rotterdam 2009 / 🥇
Tokyo 2010 / 🥈🥇
Paris 2011 / 🥇🥇
Rio 2013 / 🥇
Tcheliabinsk 2014 / 🥇
Astana 2015 / 🥇
Budapest 2017 / 🥇🥉
Marrakech 2017 / 🥇
Doha 2023 / 🥇

🥋European championships :

Beograd 2007 / 🥇
Vienna 2010 /🥈
Istanbul 2011 / 🥇🥈
Budapest 2013 / 🥇
Montpellier 2014 / 🥇🥉
Kazan 2016 / 🥇

[TheDrunkenGrape]

Riner is the best judoka ever, far more titles than anyone and he would have eaten anyone on this list in a match in his prime. Ono should be here too, and Koga.

[andremaube]

Now Riner is the greatest of all Time. He just end the converstion with this 3rd gold title.

[paulamartin]

Peter Seisenbacher

He competed in the middleweight category (−86 kg) at the 1980, 1984 and 1988 Olympics and won two gold medals, in 1984 and 1988.[2] He also won a world title in 1985 and European title in 1986.[3]

[OlivierLecerf]

And Jeon Ki Young ?... Koga ?... I understand, it's not easy even if there are logic champions like Yamashita, Saïto, Ruska, Geesink and, of course and especially, Riner... But I have other names in my mind...

[magnuschucholowski]

In Japan they have a saying: no one before Kimura, no one after.

He lost 4 Judo matches during his life time, all in 1935 at age 18. He never lost a match again.

[ArpMadore]

When Yamashita was active, the World Championships were held every two years.
In addition, he missed the opportunity to compete in the 1977 World Championships and the 1980 Olympics.
It was for political reasons that had nothing to do with him.
He was scheduled to compete in the over 95kg weight class and the open at the 1980 Olympics.
So he coulda won three more world titles.
He's a graduate of Tōkai University, founded by a pro-Soviet socialist, and has remained extremely involved in that university ever since his graduation.
That's why he was close to Putin, although as of now he has distanced himself from Putin.
Like the IOC, he feels that Russian athletes should be allowed to compete in the Paris Olympics.
His attitude is probably based more on his own experience of being at the mercy of politics in the past than on his relationship with Putin.
In both cases, though, the seeds were sown by Russia.