Keiko Fukuda Sensei
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From the Wiki article:
Keiko Fukuda (born April 12, 1913) is the highest-ranking female practitioner of judo in the world.
She was born in Tokyo, and began the practice of judo in 1935 at the age of 21. She was invited to study judo by Kano Jigoro, the founder of the martial art, because of his relationship with her grandfather, Fukuda Hachinosuke, who had taught Tenjin Shinyō-ryū Jujutsu to Kano a number of years prior. Fukuda is the last living pupil of Dr Kano.
In 1973, Fukuda published Born for the Mat, an instructional book intended for women about the kata of kodokan judo. Fukuda currently holds a 9th degree black belt (9th dan) in judo. She was awarded a rare red belt in judo by the United States Judo Federation in 2001 for her lifelong contribution to the martial art. In January 2006, at its annual Kagami Biraki New Years celebration, the Kodokan Judo Institute also awarded her the 9th degree black belt (9th dan). She is the only woman to ever hold this high a rank from any recognized judo organization.
She is 96 and still teaching classes. Flying Carp Productions is doing a documentary on her life, and are still looking for donations if you want to help. The link to donate is here. Here's a clip from it:
From the Wiki article:
Keiko Fukuda (born April 12, 1913) is the highest-ranking female practitioner of judo in the world.
She was born in Tokyo, and began the practice of judo in 1935 at the age of 21. She was invited to study judo by Kano Jigoro, the founder of the martial art, because of his relationship with her grandfather, Fukuda Hachinosuke, who had taught Tenjin Shinyō-ryū Jujutsu to Kano a number of years prior. Fukuda is the last living pupil of Dr Kano.
In 1973, Fukuda published Born for the Mat, an instructional book intended for women about the kata of kodokan judo. Fukuda currently holds a 9th degree black belt (9th dan) in judo. She was awarded a rare red belt in judo by the United States Judo Federation in 2001 for her lifelong contribution to the martial art. In January 2006, at its annual Kagami Biraki New Years celebration, the Kodokan Judo Institute also awarded her the 9th degree black belt (9th dan). She is the only woman to ever hold this high a rank from any recognized judo organization.
She is 96 and still teaching classes. Flying Carp Productions is doing a documentary on her life, and are still looking for donations if you want to help. The link to donate is here. Here's a clip from it:
Click to view