The International Judo Federation is pleased to officially launch today its new series of films on the legends of judo, who are above all builders of what our sport has become today. Whether they are or have been great champions, referees, and/or great leaders of world judo…, they have all contributed to making judo a major player in international sport. Over the coming weeks, the IJF will release the videos of these exclusive interviews and will unveil the messages that these personalities have to offer us.

LEGENDS OF JUDO: GEORGE KERR, 10th Dan

The first important personality that the IJF met, in his hometown of Edinburgh, is Mr. George Kerr.

One must go to the confines of the United Kingdom, in Scotland, to meet one of the legends of the judo world. George Kerr is jovial, and his rolling Scottish accent makes you want to spend hours listening to his stories of the evolution of judo.

As the man stated in his book, which was officially released on the occasion of the Suzuki Judo World Championships in Budapest last August, getting to the 10th dan has been a 'real journey' through time and through the successive revolutions of judo.

I have always respected and appreciated George Kerr. It is my conviction that many of the achievements in judo over the last two decades are directly related to him. I consider George to be an important chapter in the history, present and future of judo.
Marius L. Vizer, IJF President

In the introduction of his book, George Kerr said: "I am at an age where I have no need, nor desire to tell any lies. I am to old not to tell the truth now." And in fact, Mr. George Kerr not only opened his house but he also opened his heart during the exclusive interview that he gave to the IJF at the beginning of July.

Having celebrated his 80th birthday this summer, George Kerr is still an active judoka; he enjoys being on the tatami and beyond everything he loves to transfer his incredible knowledge and philosophy to the younger generations.

See also
News
Mittersill Remains Number One

08. Jan. 2025 / The show can begin! The largest judo training camp ...

Gender Equality
Sierra Leone: Investing in Women

06. Jan. 2025 / In 2024, the IJF Academy stopped in Sierra Leone for ...

News
Kickstarting the Season

04. Jan. 2025 / To get the new year underway, thousands of judoka around ...

The Olympic Champion Series
The Olympic Champions (51): Djamel Bouras (FRA)

28. Dec. 2024 / Interviewing an Olympic champion is something special ...

News
IJF President's End of the Year 2024 Message

20. Dec. 2024 / IJF President's end of the year message.

News
The Passing of 1964 Olympic Silver Medallist Mr Eric Hänni (SUI)

28. Dec. 2024 / The IJF is moved to hear of the passing of Olympic ...

Judo in Schools
Judo in Schools, Puerto Rico

19. Dec. 2024 / The Puerto Rico Judo Federation has been working hard, ...

Gender Equality
Akyama Hinako, Kodokan Judo Instructor

18. Dec. 2024 / Sanda Corak is the president of the Croation Judo Federation. ...

News
New Rules: What to Remember

17. Dec. 2024 / The important IJF Technical Meeting which has just ...

News
Stipendium Hungaricum Sport Scholarship Programme (Judo) Holders Visit IJF Headquarters

17. Dec. 2024 / The Stipendium Hungaricum Sport Scholarship Programme ...

Technical Seminar 2024
IJF Technical Seminar Live

14. Dec. 2024 / On 13th December 2024, the new refereeing rules were ...

News
The Monteiro Era

14. Dec. 2024 / Medals at milestone events such as the European championships, ...

News
Judo Presents the New Rules

13. Dec. 2024 / With the Paris 2024 Olympic Games and more recently ...

INTERVIEW EXPRESS
Shishime Ai (JPN)

08. Jun. 2018 / The next reigning world champion to be invited to answer ...

News
5 Key Takeaways from judo’s first Tokyo 2020 qualifier

06. Jun. 2018 / Highlights from Hohhot Grand Prix 2018

VIDEO
Judo for the World in Iran

07. Jun. 2018 / In April 2018, the International Judo Federation and ...

Meeting
JUDO: A Beneficial Cause

07. Jun. 2018 / 'Society should believe in sport as a beneficial cause ...