| Masahiko Kimura (1917-1993) from Kumamoto was an | | | | In 1947 Kimura was promoted to 7th dan and in 1949, |
| outstanding judo player. He started very early and at | | | | after having won against all famous champions of |
| the age of 16, thanks to his outstanding judo | | | | those days he faced his last Championship. For the |
| techniques, was promoted 4th dan. | | | | fourth time he met Takahiko Ishikawa in the final, which |
| He was so outstanding, that most of the times he won | | | | lasted twenty minutes and ended up with no score. |
| all his fights one after the other. He was very strong | | | | Mifune, the most famous 10th dan of judo's history, |
| and only few opponents such as Niyajima from the | | | | declared the match even. |
| Meiji University, Kenishiro Osawa, Kenshiro Abe and | | | | In July 1951 Kimura was invited to Brazil in order to |
| Hideo Yamamoto, won when they faced him. His best | | | | compete in a "mixed martial arts" match: jujutsu and |
| judo technique was osotogari. He practiced it so many | | | | judo. He accepted and left Japan with Yamaguchi (6th |
| times until it became a lethal weapon and especially | | | | dan) and Kado (5th dan), who had accepted the |
| after his losses, which almost made him quit judo. | | | | challenge of Helio Gracie (the Brazilian Champion for |
| He had a great come back in October 1935 wining his | | | | twenty years). |
| first Title at the University Championships and did so | | | | According to the rules, the fight could end for following |
| also in 1937 (being held every second year). He was | | | | reasons: surrender, if the trainer threw the towel, by |
| the first student to be allowed to enter the | | | | decision of the commission. Throws and ground |
| Professional Japanese Judo Championships and so at | | | | techniques would not be considered. Kado was |
| the end of 1937 he won the All Japanese National | | | | defeated by the Brazilian, who almost became a |
| Judo Championships and did so for the following | | | | National hero and challenged Yamaguchi the following |
| thirteen years until he retired | | | | week. The latter did not accept, but Kimura did instead. |
| In the 1940 edition he won against the 5th dan Yasuichi | | | | Kimura, being an outstanding champion, tried different |
| Matsumoto, who became later the legendary Judo | | | | judo techniques on his opponent facing twenty |
| Professor at Tenri University from 1960 to 1980. | | | | thousand spectators including the Brazilian President |
| Matsumoto was not only known because of his | | | | and Vice- President. He won the match with an arm |
| outstanding height, but also for the great contribution he | | | | lock and of course it was a strong affirmation for |
| gave to Tenri's judo with his techniques, which up to | | | | Kodokan Judo. Nevertheless due to the rules, which |
| today have left a signature. I have been his student for | | | | banished "mixed martial arts" matches, Kimura lost his |
| two years from 1964 to 1966. | | | | membership and was never accepted again. |