Masato Tamura

Masato Tamura (1913–1982) was an American judoka. He was born in Fife, Washington, United States, in 1913.[1] By 1965 he was a 7th dan in judo.[2] In 1969, Tamura was awarded the Black Belt Magazine Hall of Fame for Judo Instructor.[3] In 1972 he operated a dojo in California.[4]

Judo career

Tamura originally trained in Seattle Dojo.[4] He was promoted to 3rd-degree black belt by Jigaro Kano.[5] Tamura trained his brother Vince Tamura into a national champion and international competitor in judo.[4] Tamura was instrumental in developing the hand-to-hand techniques used by the US Armed Forces.[4] This was after defeating an opponent over 50 pounds (23 kg) more than himself.[5] Tamura is a former president of the United States Judo Federation.[6]

Personal life

Tamura was married with three children.[1] Two of his daughters, Rosemarie and Diane Tamura, were competitors in judo.[7] His son is Frank Tamura.[8] His wife Rose died in 2012, while Tamura died from cancer in 1982.[8]

References

  1. 1 2 "Black Belt". Google.com. January 1965. Retrieved July 10, 2015.
  2. ↑ "Black Belt". Google.com. December 1966. Retrieved July 10, 2015.
  3. ↑ "Black Belt". Google.com. January 1995. Retrieved July 10, 2015.
  4. 1 2 3 4 "Black Belt". Google.com. November 1972. Retrieved July 10, 2015.
  5. 1 2 "American Judo Pioneer : Vince Tamura & Heiki-Ryu Jujutsu" (PDF). Judokai.net. Archived from the original (PDF) on July 9, 2015. Retrieved July 10, 2015.
  6. ↑ "Official A.A.U.-U.S.J.F. Judo Handbook ..." Google.com. 1968. Retrieved July 10, 2015.
  7. ↑ "Black Belt". Google.com. February 1968. Retrieved July 10, 2015.
  8. 1 2 "Rose Tamura". MercuryNews.com. Retrieved July 10, 2015.
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