Photo: Russian Presidential Press Service; crop by User:Pruneau / CC BY 4.0 (source: Wikimedia Commons)
My Take
Okay, Yasuhiro Yamashita is one of those guys where the word "judo" basically conjures his face for me. This big, immovable Kumamoto-born presence, 180 centimeters of pure mountain energy standing on the tatami like nothing could budge him. The moment everyone remembers is the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics, where he tore a calf muscle and still hobbled his way to open-weight gold, and honestly that image gives me chills every time. The man strung together a winning streak that's almost cartoonish, the kind where losing just wasn't on the menu. National Honor Award, the whole deal. What I love is how cleanly he pivoted from unbeatable competitor to mentor, coaching at Tokai University and even picking up Russian honors like some quiet judo diplomat. No flash, just a thick, unshakable core. Total legend.
Overview
Yasuhiro Yamashita is a Japanese judoka born on June 1, 1957, in Kumamoto City, Kumamoto Prefecture. He graduated from Tokai University and went on to become one of the most celebrated judo competitors in history, winning a gold medal in the open-weight category at the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics. In recognition of his achievements, he received the People's Honor Award in 1984 and the Medal with Purple Ribbon in 2007, and has also been honored with Russian state decorations for his contributions to the sport internationally.
1. Profile
- Name (English)
- Yasuhiro Yamashita
- Name (Japanese)
- 山下泰裕
- Reading
- やました やすひろ
- Born
- June 1, 1957 (age 69)
- Zodiac / Chinese zodiac
- Gemini / Rooster (酉)
- Origin
- Kumamoto City, Kumamoto Prefecture, Japan
- Height
- 180 cm
- Occupation
- Judoka / Judo coach
2. Background
- University
- Tokai University
Awards & achievements
- Order of Friendship of the Russian Federation (year unknown)
- Medal with Purple Ribbon (2007)
- People's Honor Award (1984)
- Russian Order of Honor (year unknown)
- 300th Anniversary of Saint Petersburg Commemorative Medal (year unknown)
4. Personality
Motto
Private
6. Links
- Official sitehttp://www.yamashitayasuhiro.com
- Wikipedia (Japanese)https://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E5%B1%B1%E4%B8%8B%E6%B3%B0%E8%A3%95
Frequently asked questions
When was Yasuhiro Yamashita born?
Born June 1, 1957 (age 69).
Where is Yasuhiro Yamashita from?
Yasuhiro Yamashita is from Kumamoto City, Kumamoto Prefecture, Japan.
What does Yasuhiro Yamashita do?
Yasuhiro Yamashita works as Judoka, Judo coach.
How tall is Yasuhiro Yamashita?
Yasuhiro Yamashita is 180 cm.
Judoka — see all → · More people from Japan →
7. 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.