Mitsuyo Maeda | |
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Born | Funazawa Village, Hirosaki, Aomori, Japan | November 18, 1878
Died | November 28, 1941 Belém, Pará, Brazil Kidney disease | (aged 63)
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 red and white belt in Judo |
Occupation | Judōka and prizefighter |
Notable students | Carlos Gracie Luiz França |
Mitsuyo Maeda (前田 光世, Maeda Mitsuyo, 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]