12 Facts About Akio Kaminaga

Akio Kaminaga was a Japanese judoka who won a silver medal in the open weight category at the 1964 Summer Olympics.

Akio Kaminaga improved his techniques at a quick pace, and took a dan rank exam at the Kodokan Institute at the suggestion of his colleagues during his senior year in high school.

Akio Kaminaga defeated 19 straight opponents in the exam, and was awarded a third dan ranking on the spot.

However, Akio Kaminaga was completely outclassed when he participated in the Meiji University judo team's sparring sessions.

Akio Kaminaga had several career choices after graduating, but became an employee of Fuji Steel at the recommendation of Meiji University alumnus and 1958 World Judo Championships gold medalist Koji Sone.

Akio Kaminaga finished in second place behind Sone in the 1958 World Championships, and won a then-unprecedented three championships at the All-Japan Judo Championships from 1960 to 1961 and 1964 to become the top heavyweight judo competitor in Japan along with Isao Inokuma.

Judo became an Olympic sport for the first time in the 1964 Summer Olympics held in Tokyo, and Akio Kaminaga entered the competition bearing great expectations as the Japanese representative for the open weight category.

Akio Kaminaga retired from competitive judo in 1965 after suffering a detached retina.

Akio Kaminaga become the head coach of the Meiji University judo team in 1968 at the advice of Koji Sone, where he taught future Olympic gold medalist Haruki Uemura.

Akio Kaminaga served as a coach of the Japanese judo team for the 1972 Summer Olympics, but resigned from his post at Meiji University after one of his pupils, Masatoshi Shinomaki, lost in the preliminary round of the tournament.

Akio Kaminaga lived as a salaryman afterwards, while continuing his affiliation with judo officials.

Akio Kaminaga became the head coach for the Japanese Olympic judo team for the 1992 Summer Olympics, but died a year later in 1993 from colon cancer at age 56.