Also known as
Antonius Johannes Geesink
Description
Dutch judoka, the first non-Japanese to become World Champion (1961, again
1965) and Olympic Champion (1964, open class, beating Akio Kaminaga in Tokyo).
Won a record 21 European Championship titles. Awarded 9th dan in 1986 (first
European) and the 10th dan by the International Judo Federation in 1997 - one of
only three 10th-dan judoka outside Japan. Quit competitive judo in 1967, spent
1973-1974 training for a professional wrestling career under the Funks in
Amarillo, Texas, and later held top IJF and IOC positions.
Teachers (6)
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Ja
Jan van der Horst
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4 sources
fact_check
Multiple independent Dutch sources (nl.wikipedia, Verhaal van Utrecht, Utrecht
City archive) agree Geesink took his first judo lessons at Van der Horst's
school in Utrecht from age 14.
"Anton Geesink kreeg daar zijn eerste lessen."
— Jan van der Horst (judoka) - Wikipedia
(Nederlands). Wikipedia (Dutch)linkinfo
"Op 14-jarige leeftijd ziet Anton Geesink voor het eerst een
judo-demonstratie. Hij is onmiddellijk verkocht en neemt les bij Jan van der
Horst aan de Amsterdamsestraatweg."
— (2025). Anton Geesink: judoheld uit Utrecht
linkinfo
"N. Age and Ge Koning both got theirs soon after by telling the Kodokan
that they were Geesink's teachers, which was not a little white lie, but a
big black one because Geesink's sensei was Jan van der Horst from
Utrecht."
— Bluming, Jon. (1999). Doing Judo at the Korean Yudo
Association, December 1959. Journal of Combative Sportlinkinfo
"De heer Jan van der Horst heeft met zijn judoschool in Utrecht vele
nationale individuele titels en nationale teamtitels behaald en hij was de
eerste leraar van Anton Geesink."
— Visser, Willem. (2009). Herdenking bij het
overlijden van de heer Jan van der Horstlinkhistoryinfo
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Mi
Michigami Haku
(1955-1968) (1987)
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3 sources
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Michigami served as arts director of the Dutch Judo Federation 1955-1968 and is
credited (USAdojo, the Michigami memorial site) with training Geesink during
those years and again into the 1980s, most specifically for the 1961 World and
1964 Olympic titles. Sources are his own memorial site and official honors, so
the wording reflects the Michigami side.
"He also trained and led many masters and competitors including the famous
Anton Geesink. ... 1955, 43 years Becomes the director of arts of the Dutch Judo
Federation. (for 13 years until 1968) ... 1961: The Third World Championships
(Paris) Winner-Anton Geesink 1964: Tokyo Olympics (first appearance of judo)
Gold medal-Anton Geesink."
— (2007). Haku Michigami. USAdojolinkinfo
"There, he met Anton Geesink, who was under special training to vitalize
Dutch judo. Michigami taught him everything he can. As a result, Geesink won the
1961 World Championships and took the gold medal in the 1964 Tokyo
Olympics."
— Haku Michigami - Personal History and Mononofu
Serieslinkinfo
"Returns to Japan every April. Trains graded judoists, including Geesink,
to 9 Dan."
— (2007). Haku Michigami. USAdojolinkinfo
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Ma
Matsumoto Yasuichi
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3 sources
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The Guardian obituary and JudoInside record that Geesink trained with Yasuichi
Matsumoto at Tenri University in Nara as preparation for the 1961 World and 1964
Olympic titles; Geesink called it his finishing school. NRC adds that from 1956
he trained several months each year in Japan at the invitation of the Japanese
national coach Matsumoto.
"Hij werkte intensief samen met leermeester Yasuichi Matsumoto, de
veelgeprezen trainer en Japanse bondscoach, met wie de judoka een innige band
smeedde."
— Stouwdam, Henk. (2014). 9.500 gulden, sportschool
en twee benzinepompenlinkinfo
"Geesink had previously trained with Yasuichi Matsumoto at Tenri University
in Nara. Matsumoto put him up against Japanese judokas in training, in the hope
that one of them would beat him, but in the knowledge that it was unlikely.
Geesink would later say that this was his finishing school."
— Anton Geesink obituary, The Guardian, 6 September
2010link
"Geesink spent three months in Japan at Tenri University in Nara, where he
worked uniquely on his Ne-Waza, or ground technique, which he viewed as the judo
of the future."
— Geesink paved his way at the 1961 World
Championships in Paris, JudoInsidelink
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As
Asami Sanpei
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1 source
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Geesink's own 1961 Utrecht newspaper article quotes him receiving lessons at
the police dojo from Sampei Asami, an 8th dan. Kodokan Review corroborates Asami
Sempei as a Kodokan instructor of that era.
"Want in de politiedojo krijg ik les van Sampei Asami, een achste dan en
één van de beste leraren die er is."
— Utrecht 60 jaar terug: Anton Geesink traint in
Tokiolinkinfo
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Do
Dory Funk Jr.
Seminar (1973)
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1 source
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English Wikipedia's Professional wrestling section states All Japan Pro
Wrestling recruited Geesink in October 1973 and he trained about a month in
Amarillo, Texas under Dory Funk Jr. and Terry Funk.
"In October 1973, All Japan Pro Wrestling recruited Geesink. He relocated
to Amarillo, Texas, to train for about a month under the guidance of Dory Funk
Jr. and Terry Funk before his professional wrestling debut in early 1974."
— Anton Geesink - Wikipedia (English). Wikipedia
(English)linkinfo
-
Te
Terry Funk
Seminar (1973)
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1 source
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Same source and period as the Dory Funk Jr. entry: the training stint in
Amarillo in late 1973 was under both Funk brothers.
"In October 1973, All Japan Pro Wrestling recruited Geesink. He relocated
to Amarillo, Texas, to train for about a month under the guidance of Dory Funk
Jr. and Terry Funk before his professional wrestling debut in early 1974."
— Anton Geesink - Wikipedia (English). Wikipedia
(English)linkinfo
Ranks (2)
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Dan-Kyu System (1986)
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Dutch Wikipedia states he received the 9th dan in 1986 as the first European;
the granting body is not stated.
"Als eerste Europeaan ontving hij in 1986 de 9e dangraad."
— Anton Geesink - Wikipedia (English). Wikipedia
(English)linkinfo
Dan-Kyu System (1997)
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The IJF awarded the 10th dan in October 1997 at its Paris congress; recognised
by the IJF but not by the Kodokan. Wikipedia (NL + EN) and the IJF Hall of Fame
confirm.
"in 1997 he was awarded the coveted 10th Dan by the IJF."
— Anton Geesink - IJF Hall of Famelinkinfo
"Anton Geesink is gisteren tijdens het congres van de internationale
judofederatie (FIJ) benoemd tot tiende dan."
"In oktober 1997 verkreeg hij de 10e dan, waarmee hij een van de hoogst
gegradueerde judoka's ter wereld werd."
— Anton Geesink - Wikipedia (English). Wikipedia
(English)linkinfo
Honors (1)
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receipt_longOrder of the Sacred Treasure
3
Title (1997)
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1 source
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Awarded by the Japanese government, reported by English Wikipedia.
"Geesink was awarded the Order of the Sacred Treasure by the Japanese
government in 1997."
— Anton Geesink - Wikipedia (English). Wikipedia
(English)linkinfo
Linked data
https://martial.is/entity/01KZW2JNB8KPAZ0XJ7J66FYMYX