| Mitsuyo Maeda | |
|---|---|
 Maeda c. 1910 | |
| Born | November 18, 1878 Funazawa Village, Hirosaki, Aomori, Japan |
| Died | November 28, 1941 (aged 63) Belém, Pará, Brazil Kidney disease |
| Other names | Otávio Maeda |
| Nationality | Brazilian (naturalized) Japanese (expatriate) |
| Height | 164 cm (5 ft 5 in) |
| Style | Judo |
| Teacher(s) | Kano Jigoro Tomita Tsunejirō |
| Rank | 7th dan black belt in Judo |
| Occupation | Judōka and prizefighter |
| Notable students | Carlos Gracie Luiz França |
Mitsuyo Maeda (前田 光世, Maeda Mitsuyo, born November 18, 1878 – November 28, 1941) naturalized as Otávio Maeda (Portuguese pronunciation: [oˈtavju maˈedɐ]),[1] was a Japanese-born Brazilian judōka and prizefighter in no holds barred competitions. He was known as Count Combat or Conde Koma in Spanish and Portuguese, a nickname he picked up in Spain in 1908. Along with Antônio Soshihiro Satake, he pioneered judo in Brazil, the United Kingdom, and other countries.[1]
Maeda was fundamental to the development of Brazilian jiu-jitsu, including through his teaching of Carlos Gracie and others of the Gracie family.[2] He was also a promoter of Japanese emigration to Brazil. His accomplishments led to him being called the "toughest man who ever lived" and being referred to as the father of Brazilian Jiu-jitsu.[3]
- ^ a b Virgílio, p. 9
- ^ Virgílio, p. 93
- ^ Bunasawa, Nori; Murray, John (2007). Mitsuyo Maeda: The Toughest Man Who Ever Lived (2nd ed.). Judo Journal. p. 300.