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Anton Geesink did not simply defeat Japan in Tokyo. He changed the geography of judo.

1× Olympic champion — Tokyo 1964, Openweight
2× World champion — Paris 1961 and Rio 1965
21× European champion
10th dan | 198 cm | approx. 120 kg

In 1961, Geesink became the first non-Japanese judoka to win a world title. Three years later, inside the Nippon Budokan, he defeated Akio Kaminaga and won Olympic gold in the open category. But his greatness cannot be explained by size and strength alone.

Technically, Geesink built a complete system. His tall frame and long levers gave him powerful kumi-kata and control of distance, yet movement was the foundation of his judo. Okuri-ashi-harai and other ashi-waza forced opponents to move and narrow their base. When they widened their stance to defend, he attacked the new opening with uchi-mata. Sasae-tsurikomi-ashi gave him another direction, breaking balance over the blocked foot, while o-soto-gari punished opponents who became upright or retreated.

His real strength was the connection between kuzushi, tsukuri and kake. Each first attack created a reaction; the second attack used it. He did not chase isolated throws—he built sequences.

Geesink was equally serious in ne-waza. He believed training should devote 60% to groundwork and 40% to standing judo. His control, kesa-gatame and sankaku-waza made him dangerous after every transition. In the 1964 Olympic final, he reacted to Kaminaga’s failed tai-otoshi, drove the fight to the mat and secured victory with kesa-gatame.

Then came the defining image: Geesink stopped his celebrating teammates from stepping onto the tatami and bowed to his opponent first. Power, technique and respect—this was his judo.

Which part of Geesink’s game impressed you most: ashi-waza, uchi-mata or ne-waza?

Technical analysis by Yerdos Khamzin

Filhão amado. Guerreiro. YHWH te abençoe sempre.

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