Photo: Jack de Nijs for Anefo / No restrictions (source: Wikimedia Commons)
Anton Geesink was a judoka, professional wrestler and film actor, born on April 6, 1934 in Utrecht, Netherlands. Anton Geesink died on August 27, 2010 at the age of 76. Awards on record include Knight of the Order of Orange-Nassau and Silver Olympic Order (2010). The listed height was 200 cm.
My Take
Anton Geesink is one of those figures who genuinely changed a sport forever, and I find his story endlessly fascinating. Here was this towering Dutchman — 200 cm of sheer determination — who walked into the 1964 Tokyo Olympics, the very country where judo was born, and beat the Japanese at their own discipline on their home soil. The stunned silence in that arena must have been something else. He hadn't done it once either; he'd already taken the World Championship in 1961, proving it was no fluke. Twenty-one European titles across his career. The man was a force of nature who helped judo evolve from a Japanese cultural treasure into a genuine global sport. Watching footage of his calm, methodical dominance, you can see why even his opponents respected him deeply. Rest well, legend.
This take was written by generative AI, one per person, from publicly reported facts (editorial policy). It is a reading of the record, not reporting.
1. Profile
- Name (English)
- Anton Geesink
- Name (Japanese)
- アントン・ヘーシンク
- Reading
- あんとん・へーしんく
- Born
- April 6, 1934 – August 27, 2010
- Zodiac / Chinese zodiac
- Aries / Dog
- Origin
- Utrecht, Netherlands
- Height
- 200 cm
- Occupation
- actor / judoka / professional wrestler / film actor / amateur wrestler
2. Background
Awards & achievements
- Knight of the Order of Orange-Nassau
- 2010 Silver Olympic Order
3. Links
4. About this entry
Tags
- Last updated
- 2026-06-02
Facts are limited to publicly available information up to 2024; non-public or unconfirmed items are omitted. English text is machine-assisted (facts translated by Sonnet, "My Take" written by Opus 4.8). The Japanese page is the source of record.
Frequently asked questions
When was Anton Geesink born?
Born April 6, 1934.
When did Anton Geesink die?
Died August 27, 2010, aged 76.
Where was Anton Geesink from?
Anton Geesink was from Utrecht, Netherlands.
What did Anton Geesink do?
Anton Geesink worked as actor, judoka, professional wrestler, film actor, amateur wrestler.
How tall was Anton Geesink?
Anton Geesink was 200 cm.
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