World Judo Day: Courage by Yasuhiro Yamashita

At 28 October Judo celebrates a special day. #WorldJudoDay 2017 displays the theme of Courage. Yasuhiro Yamashita Yasuhiro, who is now the All Japan Judo Federation President and IJF Development Director, is more than familiar with this year’s theme of Courage having displayed one of judo’s core values throughout his illustrious career.

There was one defining moment in the legendary Japanese’s career that immediately comes to mind when thinking of the #WorldJudoDay 2017.

At the Los Angeles 1984 Olympic Games, Yamashita suffered torn calf muscle in his match against Arthur Schnabel (GER). Despite the injury he fought on and won gold at his only Olympic Games.

“The Japanese team did not go to the 1980 Olympics which meant that I lost a chance to go to the Olympics,” said judo’s all-time great.

“This was my only chance in 1984 to go to the Games and I was so ashamed when I suffered the injury at such an important event which was the biggest moment of my life. Ever since I watched the Tokyo 1964 Olympics when I was a boy I had a dream of being an Olympic and winning the gold medal.

“Since that time I did everything in my power to realise my dream. In Los Angeles it was a very difficult time for me but I never gave up on my dream. I overcame the injury to win the gold medal and it was the greatest moment of my life.

“The lessons I gained from judo have served me well in my daily life and this moment is what I am known for the most even to this day. These values of our sport are taken into society and in my career there was always challenges but I was able to show courage to accomplish everything that I desired.

“I can say that the experience of the 1984 Olympics has made my life what it is today. Here in Zagreb, these young judoka will go through many emotions and hard moments and what I look for is for them to show courage because running away does not solve any problems and you will never realise you goals this way. You have to show courage to confront your challenges and take one step at a time.

“After their competitive judo career, they will continue to take the lessons from judo into their daily life and, if a lot of judoka can show this, then judo is able to develop societies and enrich the lives of many people.”