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Yoshisada Yonezuka (b. May 19, 1937 in Aomori Perfecture, Japan), is a Judo instructor and two time U.S. Olympic Judo Team coach. He began training in track and sumo wrestling as a child. In 1954, he began to train in judo in high school and became the Northern Japan High School Champion in 1955.

Yonezuka entered Nihon University in 1956. After defeating nine 2nd degree blackbelts in succession at the Kodokan, he received a special promotion to 3rd degree black belt. He also began studying several styles of karate shorinji-kempo, wado ryu, and shito-ryu.

In 1959, he was a member of the university team winning the team championship. The following year he graduated Nihon University majoring in business. Following his childhood dream he came to the United States and began teaching judo at West Point Military Academy. In 1962, Yonezuka founded the Cranford Judo Karate Center.

Yonezuka was twice chosen to serve as head coach of the U.S. Olympic Judo Team, and he coached three U.S. World Judo Championships Teams as well.

He was awarded the Kudan which is the Ninth Degree in Judo becoming one of only several American residents to be honored with the second highest Judo Degree.

Yoshisada Yonezuka (b. May 19, 1937 in Aomori Perfecture, Japan), is a Judo instructor and two time U.S. Olympic Judo Team coach. He began training in track and sumo wrestling as a child. In 1954, he began to train in judo in high school and became the Northern Japan High School Champion in 1955. Yonezuka entered Nihon University in 1956. After defeating nine 2nd degree blackbelts in succession at the Kodokan, he received a special promotion to 3rd degree black belt. He also began studying several styles of karate shorinji-kempo, wado ryu, and shito-ryu. In 1959, he was a member of the university team winning the team championship. The following year he graduated Nihon University majoring in business. Following his childhood dream he came to the United States and began teaching judo at West Point Military Academy. In 1962, Yonezuka founded the Cranford Judo Karate Center. Yonezuka was twice chosen to serve as head coach of the U.S. Olympic Judo Team, and he coached three U.S. World Judo Championships Teams as well. He was awarded the Kudan which is the Ninth Degree in Judo becoming one of only several American residents to be honored with the second highest Judo Degree. .



To see the rest of the portraits in the "*Judo Greats*" series, please proceed to this page.
About the Artist: Dr. Andor Paposi-Yobb is the instructor at the Hun Judo Dojo in clarion, PA. Andor also competed in Atlanta at the World MasterAthlete Judo Tournament and found that he was the unchallenged Gold Medal Winner in his division. He was challenged to exhibition matches by two other champions, both 8th Degree Blackbelts from Tokyo's Kodokan, and he won both matches. They were tough competitors; but Andor just grappled away and persevered.