André Kolychkine Thompson · Lineage tree

Also known as

A. Kolychkine · Andrés Kolychkine

Description

Judoka and coach considered the father of Cuban judo. Born in Finland and baptized in Saint Petersburg, he studied in Paris under Jean de Herdt, a disciple of Mikinosuke Kawaishi. Commissioned by Kawaishi, he introduced judo to Cuba in 1951, founded the Cuban Judo Foundation, and promoted the creation of the Pan American Judo Union. Director of the Cuban Judo Federation, coach of the national team, and author of "Judo: nueva didáctica"; reached 6th dan. Bert Becerra's first teacher.

Teachers (1)

• 
  Jean de Herdt

  sports_martial_artsKōdōkan Jūdō Probable

  Probable

  EcuRed states Kolychkine was a student of Jean de Herdt in Paris, himself a disciple of Mikinosuke Kawaishi, founder of European judo

  The evidence favours the claim and nothing credible contradicts it, but it falls short of establishing it.

  fact_checkassessed by FSMverified

  Frederico Muñoz

  Researcher, Martialis

  1 source expand_more

  fact_check

  EcuRed states Kolychkine was a student of Jean de Herdt in Paris, himself a disciple of Mikinosuke Kawaishi, founder of European judo

  “En París fue alumno del sensei Jean de Herdt [...] quien a su vez era discípulo de Mikinosuke Kawaishi”

  — EcuRed contributors. (2026). André Kolychkine Thompsonlink history info

Lineage

• Kōdōkan JūdōJean de Herdt ← Kawaishi Mikinosuke ← Takahashi Kazuyoshi ← Yokoyama Sakujiro ← Kanō Jigorō · 5 generations

Ranks (2)

• sports_martial_artsKōdōkan Jūdō

  military_tech6 dan Probable

  Probable

  EcuRed records that Kolychkine reached 6th dan; note that the Kolychkine Judo Foundation page instead describes him as an 8th degree black belt, so the two sources conflict

  The evidence favours the claim and nothing credible contradicts it, but it falls short of establishing it.

  Dan-Kyu System

  fact_checkassessed by FSMverified

  Frederico Muñoz

  Researcher, Martialis

  1 source expand_more

  fact_check

  EcuRed records that Kolychkine reached 6th dan; note that the Kolychkine Judo Foundation page instead describes him as an 8th degree black belt, so the two sources conflict

  “Alcanzó el grado de sexto dan.”

  — EcuRed contributors. (2026). André Kolychkine Thompsonlink history info

  military_tech8 dan Probable

  Probable

  The A. Kolychkine Judo Foundation, run by his disciples, describes him as an 8th degree black belt, while EcuRed states he reached 6th dan - the two sources conflict

  The evidence favours the claim and nothing credible contradicts it, but it falls short of establishing it.

  Dan-Kyu System

  fact_checkassessed by FSMverified

  Frederico Muñoz

  Researcher, Martialis

  1 source expand_more

  fact_check

  The A. Kolychkine Judo Foundation, run by his disciples, describes him as an 8th degree black belt, while EcuRed states he reached 6th dan - the two sources conflict

  “Master Kolychkine, black belt 8th degree, developed the "new didactic of Judo" a comprehensive new approach to Judo teaching with a Ph.D. in education.”

  — A. Kolychkine Judo Foundation. (2024). About - A. Kolychkine Judo Foundationlink history info

Students (2)

• 
  Bert Becerra

  sports_martial_artsKōdōkan Jūdō Confirmed

  Confirmed

  USJJF profile states Becerra started judo in 1954 in the Havana dojo of Maestro A. Kolychkine, organizer of judo in Cuba and founder of the Panamerican Judo Union; the club website likewise identifies Kolychkine as his first teacher

  The evidence establishes the claim: it is sufficient and consistent, and any conflicting evidence is resolved.

  (1954–1960)

  fact_checkassessed by FSMverified

  Frederico Muñoz

  Researcher, Martialis

  2 sources expand_more

  fact_check

  USJJF profile states Becerra started judo in 1954 in the Havana dojo of Maestro A. Kolychkine, organizer of judo in Cuba and founder of the Panamerican Judo Union; the club website likewise identifies Kolychkine as his first teacher

  “Sensei Humberto Becerra - started his studies of Judo and Ju-Jitsu in 1954 in Havana, Cuba in the dojo of Maestro A. Kolychkine (organizer of Judo in Cuba and founder of the Panamerican Judo Union).”

  — United States Ju-Jitsu Federation (USJJF). (2026). Humberto Becerralink history info

  visibilityFirst-hand

  “A. Kolychkine: Becerra's first teacher and the Father of Cuban Judo”

  — Becerra Judo. (2011). Becerra Judo & Jujitsu linkhistory info
• person
  Orlando Madrigal Valverde

  sports_martial_artsKōdōkan Jūdō Probable

  Probable

  EcuRed names Madrigal as Kolychkine's Costa Rican student, who returned home to open Costa Rica's first judo and jiu-jitsu academy

  The evidence favours the claim and nothing credible contradicts it, but it falls short of establishing it.

  fact_checkassessed by FSMverified

  Frederico Muñoz

  Researcher, Martialis

  1 source expand_more

  fact_check

  EcuRed names Madrigal as Kolychkine's Costa Rican student, who returned home to open Costa Rica's first judo and jiu-jitsu academy

  “En 1955, su alumno costarricense Orlando Madrigal Valverde (1921-1991) vuelve a Costa Rica, donde abrió la primera academia de judo y jiu-jitsu de ese país.”

  — EcuRed contributors. (2026). André Kolychkine Thompsonlink history info

Sources