News

The legend of judo, world and Olympic champion, member of the IJF Executive Committee as World Promotion Director and former President of the All Japan Judo Federation, Mr Yasuhiro Yamashita, was re-elected on Thursday 29th June, for the third time, as President of the National Olympic Committee of Japan (JOC).

Mr Yamashita will continue at the head of the JOC for two additional years. Congratulations to him and his team.

Yasuhiro Yamashita, born 1st June 1957, was among the greatest judoka of all time. He put an end to his sporting career on 17th June 1985 after having won all major titles, marking 203 consecutive victories between 1977 and 1985. During this time he went undefeated against non-Japanese judoka and won four world championships and gold at the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics.

Off the tatami Mr Yamashita retained all his desire for judo excellence and became a source of inspiration for recreational and competitive judoka around the world. He then became the Japanese team head coach before embracing an international career as a sport leader.

His first election as JOC President was in 2019 and in January 2020 he became an International Olympic Committee member.