Rena Kanokogi was a renowned American judo expert.
21 Facts About Rena Kanokogi
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Rena Kanokogi is perhaps best known for pioneering women's judo competition at the Olympic Games.
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Rena Kanokogi is often referred to as "The Mother of Women's Judo".
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Rena Kanokogi bore a son, Chris Stewart, who would later add his stepfather's surname, Kanokogi, to his own name.
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Rena Kanokogi was working as a switchboard operator at this time.
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Rena Kanokogi recalled that she was attracted to the art because it calmed her down and helped her develop self-control.
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Rena Kanokogi learned judo in her local neighborhood and tried to fight in judo competitions, but was barred because she was a woman.
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Rena Kanokogi acquired the nickname "Rusty" after a local stray dog.
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In 1959, Rena Kanokogi competed at the YMCA judo championship in Utica, New York, disguised as a man.
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Rena Kanokogi had cut her hair short and taped down her breasts.
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Rena Kanokogi was an alternate on her team and had to step in when a male member was injured and unable to compete.
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Rena Kanokogi won the match against her opponent, and her team went on to win the contest.
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Rena Kanokogi was then pulled aside by the tournament organizer, asking her whether she was a woman.
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In 1962, with no further options for her development in the US, Rena Kanokogi traveled to the Kodokan Judo Institute in Tokyo, Japan.
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Rena Kanokogi was promoted to the rank of 2nd dan while at the Kodokan.
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In 1965, Rena Kanokogi directed the first junior judo tournament held in New York: the New York City YMCA Junior Judo Championships.
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In 1980, Rena Kanokogi organized the first women's judo world championship in Madison Square Garden's Felt Forum, sponsoring it through the mortgage of her own home.
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In 1988, Rena Kanokogi was Coach of the first United States Olympic Women's Judo Team.
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At the 2004 Summer Olympics in Athens, Rena Kanokogi was a commentator for NBC's coverage of judo.
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Rena Kanokogi died on November 21,2009, at the Lutheran Medical Center in New York, following a battle with multiple myeloma.
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Rena Kanokogi was survived by her husband, children Ted Kanokogi and Jean Kanokogi, and two grandchildren according to one newspaper article, as well as eldest son Chris Stewart Kanokogi and a third grandchild.