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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Jan van der Horstsports_martial_artsKōdōkan Jūdō ConfirmedConfirmedMultiple 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.The evidence establishes the claim: it is sufficient and consistent, and any conflicting evidence is resolved.location_onVan der Horst Judo Institute badge (1948)
fact_checkassessed by FSMverified
4 sources expand_moreFrederico MuñozResearcher, Martialisfact_checkMultiple 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.visibilityFirst-hand -
Michigami Hakusports_martial_artsKōdōkan Jūdō ConfirmedConfirmedMichigami served as arts director of the Dutch Judo Federation 1955-1968 and is credited 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.The evidence establishes the claim: it is sufficient and consistent, and any conflicting evidence is resolved.(1955–1968) (1987)
fact_checkassessed by FSMverified
3 sources expand_moreFrederico MuñozResearcher, Martialisfact_checkMichigami served as arts director of the Dutch Judo Federation 1955-1968 and is credited 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.”
visibilityFirst-hand -
Matsumoto Yasuichisports_martial_artsKōdōkan Jūdō ConfirmedConfirmedThe 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.The evidence establishes the claim: it is sufficient and consistent, and any conflicting evidence is resolved.location_onTenri University badge (1956–1964)
fact_checkassessed by FSMverified
3 sources expand_moreFrederico MuñozResearcher, Martialisfact_checkThe 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.“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.”
“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.”
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Asami Sanpeisports_martial_artsKōdōkan Jūdō ProbableProbableGeesink'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.The evidence favours the claim and nothing credible contradicts it, but it falls short of establishing it.Private lesson location_onTokyo Metropolitan Police Department badge (1961)
fact_checkassessed by FSMverified
1 source expand_moreFrederico MuñozResearcher, Martialisfact_checkGeesink'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. -
Dory Funk Jr.sports_martial_artsCatch Wrestling ProbableProbableEnglish 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.The evidence favours the claim and nothing credible contradicts it, but it falls short of establishing it.Seminar (1973)
fact_checkassessed by FSMverified
1 source expand_moreFrederico MuñozResearcher, Martialisfact_checkEnglish 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. -
Terry Funksports_martial_artsCatch Wrestling ProbableProbableSame source and period as the Dory Funk Jr. entry: the training stint in Amarillo in late 1973 was under both Funk brothers.The evidence favours the claim and nothing credible contradicts it, but it falls short of establishing it.Seminar (1973)
fact_checkassessed by FSMverified
1 source expand_moreFrederico MuñozResearcher, Martialisfact_checkSame source and period as the Dory Funk Jr. entry: the training stint in Amarillo in late 1973 was under both Funk brothers.
Lineage
Ranks (2)
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military_tech9 dan ProbableProbableDutch Wikipedia states he received the 9th dan in 1986 as the first European; the granting body is not stated.The evidence favours the claim and nothing credible contradicts it, but it falls short of establishing it.Dan-Kyu System (1986)military_tech10 dan ConfirmedConfirmedThe 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.The evidence establishes the claim: it is sufficient and consistent, and any conflicting evidence is resolved.Dan-Kyu System (1997)granted by International Judo Federation
fact_checkassessed by FSMverified
3 sources expand_moreFrederico MuñozResearcher, Martialisfact_checkThe 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.visibilityFirst-hand
Honours (1)
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receipt_longOrder of the Sacred Treasure ProbableProbableAwarded by the Japanese government, reported by English Wikipedia.The evidence favours the claim and nothing credible contradicts it, but it falls short of establishing it.Title (1997)
Sources
Identifiers
https://martial.is/entity/01KZW2JNB8KPAZ0XJ7J66FYMYX
Cite and reuse
CC BY-SA 4.0expand_more
Plain text
Muñoz, Frederico (YEAR_PLACEHOLDER). Anton Geesink. In Martialis: Martial Arts
Lineage Database. https://martial.is/entity/01KZW2JNB8KPAZ0XJ7J66FYMYX - CC
BY-SA 4.0. Accessed ACCESSED_DATE_PLACEHOLDER.
BibTeX
@incollection{martialis_01KZW2JNB8KPAZ0XJ7J66FYMYX, author = {Muñoz, Frederico},
title = {Anton Geesink}, booktitle = {Martialis: Martial Arts Lineage Database},
year = {YEAR_PLACEHOLDER}, url =
{https://martial.is/entity/01KZW2JNB8KPAZ0XJ7J66FYMYX}, urldate =
{ACCESSED_DATE_PLACEHOLDER}, note = {CC BY-SA 4.0} }
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