Cuban Judo History

According to the book “Mitsuyo Maeda, The Toughest Man Who Ever Lived” Judo Master Mitsuyo Maeda brought the art of Judo to Havana on December 14, 1908, where Maeda did not only fight many challenge matches but he also set up schools and taught on the island. In July 1909 Master Maeda left Havana to continue spreading the art of Judo to Mexico City, and came back to the island exactly one year later.

During 1911, Maeda and his old friend Soishiro Satake were joined in Cuba by Akitaro Ono and Tokugoro Ito. The four men were known as the Four Kings of Cuba. The Four Kings were very popular in Cuba, and the Japanese were proud of the reputation they were bringing to judo and Japan. Consequently, on January 8, 1912, the Kodokan promoted Maeda to fifth degree black belt. There was some resistance to this decision because there were those in Japan who did not approve of his involvement in professional wrestling. In 1913 the Four Kings traveled to El Salvador, Costa Rica, Honduras, Panama, Colombia, Ecuador, and Brazil. They eventually split up in 1916.

According to Cuban Judo historians, Judo in Cuba did not disappear completely after Maeda and the rest of the Four Kings left. Judo was practiced in small clubs and lodges by wealthy Cubans. The Havana Harbor was one of the busiest in the world and sailors from all over the world, including Japan, stopped there. These sailors would be invited to practice at those clubs along with wrestlers that would visit the island to train or for leisure. In addition, on November 1, 1912, Japan Times noted that judo had become a fad among wealthy Cubans. In 1925 a young Morita Shigetoshi immigrated to Cuba and introduced the art of Ryu Jiu Jitsu.

Judo returned to life when, a boxer/wrestler/judoka, by the name of Andres Kolychkine arrived in Cuba in 1951, many call him the “Father of Cuban Judo”. A few months later after arriving he created the Judo club “ Jiu Jitsu Club Habana”. Also in 1951 he created the Cuban Judo Federation and holds the first National competition in 1952 with then 4th Degree, European champion and 8 times French National Champion, Jean De Herdt, whom was Kolychkine’s Sensei. One year later they create the Pan American Judo Union and hold the first Continental Championship with the participation of Canada, United States, Brazil, Argentina and Cuba.

I found that the arrival of Takahiko Ishikawa in Cuba differs slightly, one of his students, Harold E. Sharp, recollects him arriving in late 1953, and in the book “Historia del Judo en Cuba 1951-1961” has him arriving in 1956. Either way, during that time The Cuban Judo Association requested an instructor from the Kodokan to train their judokas in competition skills. Takahiko Ishikawa was selected because he was a two time All Japan Judo Champion. When he arrived in Cuba he worked softly with the Black Belt Students and he let them throw him. The President of the Cuban Judo Association wrote a letter to the Kodokan stating that he was disappointed in Ishikawa and that students were throwing him with ease. The Kodokan sent a copy of this letter to Ishikawa for his information. Ishikawa became angry and had his good friend and student, Malcolm Gregory, fly to Cuba. When Gregory arrived Ishikawa showed him the letter, gave him a judo gi and took him to the dojo. Ishikawa had all the Cuban Black Belts lined up for a slaughter line. He told Gregory to start at one end while he would start at the other end. After that session the Cuban Judo Association President became embarrassed, apologized and asked Gregory what he could do? Gregory replied, “write another letter”.

As Judo in Cuba advanced Master Kolychkine requested a more high ranking technical judoka thus being sent Masayuki Takahama 6^th degree black belt and champion of the Japanese police.

I've heard people ask, "why is Cuba's judo different?", in my humble opinion the Cuban Judokas have the ability to capture the flavor of each country they visit. They have an International Judo, obtaining the best technique from each Judoka they meet. I am having that same opportunity right here in Tampa without having to travel out of the states. Visit my "Where I Train Judo" page.