Jigoro Kano

Dr. Jigoro Kano (嘉納 治五郎 born in 1860 in Kobe, Japan-1938) founded the sport of judo.

In 1882, Kano founded Kodokan Judo. His system of martial arts (judo) all but replaced the parent arts of Jiu jitsu in Japan. Kano successfully introduced judo into the Japanese school system.

Also a member of the International Olympic Committee for Japan, Kano dreamed of including judo in the Olympic Games. This dream became true in 1964, when the Games were held in Tokyo. Kano had died years earlier in 1938, aboard the SS Hikawa Maru.