Koji Kakamu (各務 耕司, Kakamu Kōji, born June 7, 1977) is a Japanese judoka and judo coach. He is currently Head Coach of the Saudi Arabian Judo Federation.[1]

Early life and education

Kakamu was born in Mizunami, Gifu Prefecture, Japan. He began practicing judo at the age of nine at the Mizunami Shutokukan judo club, after being encouraged to do so by his doctor to help him recover from a fractured arm.

He attended Mizunami Elementary School, Mizunami Junior High School, Tenri High School, and Doshisha University.

Judo career

During his school years, Kakamu achieved considerable success in judo competitions. In elementary school, he placed third in the national judo competition for elementary school students (team event) and was named an outstanding player. In junior high school, he won the Gifu Prefecture junior high school judo championship and placed fifth in the national junior high school judo championship.

At Tenri High School, a judo powerhouse, he continued to excel, placing second in the national high school judo championship (team event) in 1994. At Doshisha University, he reached the top 16 in the All-Japan University Judo Championships.

After graduating from university, Kakamu joined the Aichi Prefectural Police judo team. He placed third in the All-Japan Police Judo Championships in 2001 and 2003.

Coaching career

Kakamu began his coaching career with the Aichi Prefectural Police judo team in 2007, eventually becoming the head coach. He has also served as a coach and head coach for the All-Japan Junior Judo team, leading them to numerous medals at international competitions, including the World Junior Judo Championships and the World Cadet Judo Championships.

In 2024, Kakamu left his position with the Aichi Prefectural Police to become the head coach of the Saudi Arabia national judo team, starting in January 2025.

Achievements as a coach

Tournament Year Location Individual Team
World Junior Judo Championships 2017 Zagreb 2 Gold, 4 Bronze Gold
2018 Nassau 2 Gold, 3 Silver, 3 Bronze Gold
2019 Marrakesh 2 Gold, 1 Silver, 1 Bronze Gold
2022 Guayaquil 3 Gold, 1 Silver Gold
2023 Odivelas 5 Gold, 2 Bronze Gold
2024 Dushanbe 4 Gold, 3 Bronze Gold[2]
World Cadet Judo Championships 2017 San Diego 1 Gold, 2 Silver, 2 Bronze Bronze
2019 Almaty 2 Gold, 1 Silver, 2 Bronze Gold
2022 Sarajevo 1 Gold, 3 Bronze
2023 Zagreb Bronze
2023 Lima 2 Bronze Gold
Universiade 2019-2023 9 Gold, 5 Silver, 3 Bronze 1 Gold, 1 Bronze
  • He has also accompanied the Japanese national team to the Olympic Games, World Judo Championships, and Grand Slam judo tournaments, where his athletes have won numerous medals, including gold.

Qualifications

  • 7th dan in judo (Kodokan)
  • All Japan Judo Federation certified coach (A license)
  • All Japan Judo Federation certified referee (A license)
  • International Judo Federation (IJF) certified coach
  • Japan Sports Association certified judo coach (Level 1)
  • TOEIC score of 785

Awards

  • Commissioner General of the National Police Agency Award (2000, 2002)
  • Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology Award (2018, 2019, 2020, 2023, 2024)[3]

See also

References

  1. ^ "愛知県警の各務さん、サウジ柔道代表監督へ 9日出発、いつかは「五輪選手育てたい」：中日新聞Web".
  2. ^ "まいんど vol.42 全日本柔道連盟".
  3. ^ "【柔道部Ob】7/23、各務耕司Ob（H12商卒）が文部科学大臣顕彰および国際競技大会優秀者等表彰 – 同志社スポーツユニオン".


Allikas: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Draft:Koji_Kakamu
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