Mitsuyo Maeda

Mitsuyo Maeda
Maeda c. 1910
Born(1878-11-18)November 18, 1878
Funazawa Village, Hirosaki, Aomori, Japan
DiedNovember 28, 1941(1941-11-28) (aged 63)
Belém, Pará, Brazil
Kidney disease
Other namesOtávio Maeda
NationalityBrazilian (naturalized)
Japanese (expatriate)
Height164 cm (5 ft 5 in)
StyleJudo
Teacher(s)Kano Jigoro
Tomita Tsunejirō
Rank     7th dan black belt in Judo
OccupationJudōka and prizefighter
Notable studentsCarlos Gracie
Luiz França
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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]

  1. ^ a b Virgílio, p. 9
  2. ^ Virgílio, p. 93
  3. ^ Bunasawa, Nori; Murray, John (2007). Mitsuyo Maeda: The Toughest Man Who Ever Lived (2nd ed.). Judo Journal. p. 300.