Member News

May 16, 2006

In Memory Mr. Yoshinori Takeuchi, IJF Vice President & JUA President

www.ijf.org

(IJF-Seoul)  It is with deep sadness that we inform you of the death of our colleague, Mr. Yoshinori Takeuchi, President of Judo Union of Asia and IJF Vice President from 1999 until 2006.

Mr. Takeuchi passed away at the age of sixty-nine on the 14th of May 2006 while attending the 2006 Junior Asian Judo Championships in Jeju, Korea from the 13 to14th of May 2006.

Mr. Takeuchi was a most distinguished world leader in the international sport of Judo, not only at the national level, having served as the Vice President of the All Japan Judo Federation since 2002, but also on the international level as the JUA Refereeing Director (1982-1999) and then JUA President and IJF Vice President from 1999 to 2006. 

He will be truly missed and remembered by all who have known him throughout his leadership and activities within Judo Union of Asia and International Judo Federation.

Mr. Takeuchi's funeral take place as follows;

WAKE              May 17 (Wed)  18:00
FUNERAL         May 18 (Thu)   10:00 - 11:30
PLACE             HOUKIKAKU
                       1-2-13 Shakujiidai, Nerima-ku, Tokyo
                       Tel: 03-3996-0214
                       http://makino-saiten.com/saijyou/houkikaku.html

If you would like to send condolences to the Takeuchi family, please feel free to do so at the following:

Mr. Hirofumi OTSUJI
Secretary to the JUA President
c/o Kodokan Judo Institute
1-16-30 Kasuga Bunkyo-ku
Tokyo 112-0003 JAPAN
Tel: 81-3-3818-5220  Fax: 81-3-3818-5009 Mobile phone: 81-90-1707-1991
E-mail: h.ohtsuji@kodokan.org
           intl@kodokan.org

The passing away of Mr. Yoshinori Takeuchi is a sad loss to the Judo and the Olympic Movement and his presence will be missed by us all throughout the world.

Sincerely yours,

Yong Sung PARK

President of International Judo Federation

The Late Mr. Yoshinori TAKEUCHI

Born : August 27, 1937

Dan grade: Kodokan 9th Dan

- Graduated from Tokyo Educational University

- Won in the All Japan Judo Championship (Open) in 1962

- Instructed World Champions : Ms. Kaori YAMACUCHI & Mr. Takahiro OKADA.

- Instructed Olympic Medalists : Ms. Hikari SASAKI(Demonstration Games), Mr. Seiki NOSE, Mr. Takahiro OKADA, Ms. Kaori YAMAGUCHI (Demonstration Games), Ms. Yoko Sakaue, Ms. Chiyori TATENO.

- IJF International Referee License holder since 1974

- Professor of Tsukuba University (Physical Education Department) until March, 2000.

- Vice President of All Japan Judo Federation since 2002

- Director General of International Department, Kodokan Judo Institute since April 2000.

- JUA Refereeing Director since 1982 until 1999

- JUA PRESIDENT since 1999 until 2006

Letter from Dr. Ron Tripp Regarding the Passing of Mr. Takeuchi

Dear Friends of the American Judo Family;

I was with deep regret I learned of the passing of Sensei Yoshinori Takeuchi of Japan.  Sensei Takeuchi will always be remembered as one of judo's great leaders, yet he made a greater impact on all of us as a friend to everyone in judo around the World. I was fortunate to have the opportunity at many international events over the past 10 years to spend time with Sensei Takeuchi, to learn from him, to share his stories and humor, and to call him my friend.  Although we are deeply saddened by this news, let us join together and celebrate the life of a wonderful man and his impact on the judo world, and give thanks that he was our friend and a part of our lives. Our deepest sympathy to the Takeuchi family. He will be missed greatly by all.

With Deepest Respects

Dr. Ron Tripp

President, USA Judo