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Dutchman Anton Geesink,
an International Olympic Committee member and winner of the sport’s
first Olympic gold medal, has passed away in his home town of
Utrecht at the age of 76.
The 6ft 6ins fighter
sent shockwaves through the sport when he became the first Western
judoka to win the World Championships in 1961 in Paris.
Geesink, a 21-time European
Champion, is best known for capturing gold at the 1964 Olympic
Games in Tokyo, overthrowing the dominant home fighters to take
the top honour in the sport’s official Olympic debut.
After retiring from
competition the venerated 10th Dan embarked on a part-time pro
wrestling career from 1973 to 1978 with the flourishing All Japan
promotion, such was his level of stardom in the country.
In 1987 Geesink become
a member of the board of the Dutch National Olympic Committee
and the IOC.
"Everybody will
remember the gigantic stature of this Dutch figure whose size
was equivalent to his kindness," the International Judo Federation
said in a statement.
"Anton Geesink
never stopped fighting for the development of sport throughout
the world.
"Today, judo is
a universal activity, thanks to the 'way of education' that Jigoro
Kano created at the end of the 19th century. But for sure, it
would not have been possible if, first of all, Anton Geesink had
not been the great champion he was and secondly, he had not become
such a fantastic ambassador during and after his sports career."
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