Yoshimi Osawa

Yoshimi Ōsawa (大澤慶巳, Ōsawa Yoshimi) is a Japanese judoka. He is one of only three living Kodokan 10th dan (and one of only 15 to have attained this rank), having been promoted at the New Year Kagami Biraki Ceremony, January 8, 2006 along with Toshiro Daigo and Ichiro Abe

Ōsawa was born March 6, 1926 in Sakura, Chiba Prefecture, Japan. He was educated at Waseda University and later became a judo instructor there. Osawa weighed in at 145lbs but competed against all sizes. Although at times he went as big as 5'6 160lbs. He was highly regarded as a Judo technician, particularly for his ashi-waza and, although a light weight, was considered a favourite to win the All-Japan Judo Championshipsand defeated the 1948 champion Yasuichi Matsumoto to win the Fukuoka tournament in November 1948. After he retired, he made a trip to Brazil. He was challenged by Helio Gracie, whom had previously been defeated by Kimura. As a coach, he was forced to decline the match. Osawa was a primary author of the book Kodokan Judo: A Guide to Proficiency. Osawa was the head instructor at Waseda University. Osawa is considered to be one of the top technicians in Judo post World War II.