Yasuhiro Yamashita

is one of the most successful judo competitors of all time. He is now an instructor or advisor for many organizations, including: Tōkai University, the International Judo Federation, and the All Japan Judo Federation. He retired from competitive judo on June 17, 1985.  During his remarkable career, he won five gold medals in international competitions.  He won 203 matches in a row without losing (with 7 draws in-between). He received the Japanese National Prize of Honor on October 9, 1984.

Yamashita was in the 1984 Summer Olympics.  He tore a right calf muscle early on.  Even so he made it to the final.  He played the final match against Mohamed Ali Rashwan of Egypt. Yamashita won the final and the gold medal despite his injury. Rashwan did not aim for Yamashita's right leg. Rashwan was given an award from the International Fairplay Committee.

References

Category:1957 births
Category:Japanese judoka
Category:Olympic gold medalists for Japan
Category:Living people