| In the port of Yokohama there is a ship called Ikawa | | | | challenged were so amazed by this outcome, that the |
| Maru. It is a Museum on the water and it is known for | | | | loser himself had to congratulate Kano Sensei for his |
| a fight, that took place in 1889 on its deck between a | | | | performance. |
| Russian seaman and the Father of Judo, Jigoro Kano, | | | | It looks like this is the first record of a judo man, the |
| who even though being little and frail managed to beat | | | | Father of Judo himself, who got involved in a "mixed |
| the big sailor three times, both on the ground and | | | | martial arts" fight. After this first time many other |
| standing, thanks to his outstanding judo techniques. | | | | outstanding judo masters got faced in one way or |
| On 13th September 1889 Kano Sensei was walking on | | | | another with MMA, among which as Sakujiro |
| the deck when he suddenly got attracted by the noise | | | | Yokoyama (1890); Shiro Saigo (1891); Yoshitsugu |
| of a crowd. There was a power challenge going on | | | | Yamashita (1903); Mitsuyo Kosei Maeda (1906); |
| between a big Russian seaman and a Dutch and a | | | | Yokoyama and Mifune (1909); Masahiko Kimura (1951); |
| Swiss fellow. Of course the Russian was stronger | | | | Nishi Yoshinori (1950-60); Anton Geesink (1965) and |
| than both of them, they were unable to move him | | | | others. |
| around. Kano got interested and challenged the | | | | Today always more Olympic Judo Champions enter |
| Russian himself. | | | | the MMA world. It looks like there is a lot more money |
| He first pinned him to the ground, not allowing him to | | | | to earn there than in the modest judo world. |
| escape. Then the Russian asked him to pin him down, | | | | Nevertheless the fights are rather savage and |
| but Kano Sensei escaped before the big fellow even | | | | resemble the challenges between the gladiators in |
| realized what was going on. Not happy with a double | | | | ancient Rome, with the only difference, that they do |
| loss, the Russian asked for a return match, but this | | | | not have to salute anyone saying "Ave Cesare |
| time standing. Again Kano Sensei managed to beat | | | | Morituri te salutant" (Ave Ceasar the Dying are saluting |
| the enormous chap this time by throwing him with an | | | | you), as for now death is not foreseen. |
| outstanding judo technique. Both the crowd and the | | | | |