13 Facts About Hitoshi Saito

Hitoshi Saito was a Japanese judoka who won two consecutive gold medals at the Olympic games.

Hitoshi Saito continued to practice judo at the Kokushikan high school, and won the inter-high school judo group competition during his junior year.

Hitoshi Saito entered Kokushikan University in 1979, and faced Yasuhiro Yamashita a total of 7 times in the finals of the All-Japan Judo Championships, Jigoro Kano Cup, and All-Japan University Judo Championships.

Hitoshi Saito lost to Yamashita in each tournament final, but drew with him several times during other matches.

Hitoshi Saito continued to work at Kokushikan University after graduating in 1983, and won the gold medal in the heavyweight division of the 1984 Summer Olympics and in the open weight division of the 1983 World Judo Championships.

Hitoshi Saito injured his right knee prior to the All-Japan Championships in 1987, but made his return at the 1988 All-Japan Championships, winning the championship for the first time to gain his second trip to the Olympic games.

Hitoshi Saito faced Cho Yong-Chul again in the semi-finals of the 1988 Summer Olympics, competing under tremendous pressure after every other Japanese judoka in the 1988 Olympics had been defeated before reaching the finals.

Hitoshi Saito defeated Cho by decision, and won the final against Henry Stohr to capture his second Olympic gold medal.

Hitoshi Saito retired from competition shortly after his second Olympics as an athlete and became an instructor for Kokushikan University and the All Japan Judo Federation.

Hitoshi Saito served as a coach for the Japanese judo team during the 2004 Summer Olympics.

Hitoshi Saito was on friendly terms with his former great rival, Yasuhiro Yamashita.

Hitoshi Saito is the father of 2022 World Judo Championships silver medalist and 2022 All-Japan open weight champion, Tatsuru Hitoshi Saito.

Hitoshi Saito died aged 54 from cholangiocarcinoma, a rare but rapidly progressing and incurable form of liver cancer.