Tokyo, Japan — In a poignant moment that bridges generations of judo excellence, three-time Olympic champion Tadahiro Nomura has shared the news of his father’s passing, offering a deeply personal reflection on family, legacy and the sport that defined their lives.

On May 24, 2026, Nomura (45) took to social media to announce that his father, former judoka Kijiro Nomura, passed away on April 25 at the age of 84. The announcement came just hours after the Tokyo-based judoka updated his followers with a heartfelt message that revealed both the personal loss and the enduring connection between father and son through judo.

柔道を愛し、柔道家として生き抜いた姿は、私の誇りです。
父・基次さんが4月25日に他界されたことを報告いたします。84歳でした。
ご冥福をお祈りします。

Translated from Japanese, Nomura’s message reads: “The way my father loved judo and lived as a judoka is my pride. I would like to report that my father, Kijiro Nomura, passed away on April 25. He was 84 years old. May he rest in peace.”

The Judo Legacy That Spanned Generations

While Kijiro Nomura was not an Olympic competitor himself, his influence on the sport was profound. As a coach and mentor in the Japanese judo system, he played a crucial role in developing the technical foundation that would later propel his son to Olympic glory. The elder Nomura’s coaching philosophy emphasized kuzushi (balance breaking) and kuzure-waza (off-balance techniques), principles that became hallmarks of Tadahiro’s competitive style.

Tadahiro Nomura’s Olympic career is one of judo’s most remarkable achievements: gold medals at the 2004 Athens, 2008 Beijing, and 2012 London Games in the 60kg weight class. His three consecutive victories remain unmatched in Olympic judo history, cementing his status as one of the sport’s greatest ambassadors.

Key Statistical Context:

• Only judoka to win three consecutive Olympic golds in the same weight class
• 12 total Olympic medals (3 gold, 5 silver, 4 bronze) across four Games
• 11 World Championship medals (4 gold, 5 silver, 2 bronze)
• Retired in 2013 with a career record of 300+ international victories

From the Dojo to the Olympic Podium: A Father-Son Connection

The Nomura family’s judo journey began in the Kodokan Institute in Tokyo, where Kijiro Nomura served as a senior instructor. While specific details about his coaching career remain limited in public records, judo historians note his work with regional teams in the 1970s and 1980s, where he developed young athletes who would later compete at national levels.

Tadahiro Nomura has previously spoken about his father’s indirect influence: “He never coached me directly, but his teachings about respect, discipline, and the mental aspects of competition were always with me. Judo wasn’t just a sport for us—it was a way of life that my father embodied.”

What This Means for Judo’s Future

While this personal announcement doesn’t directly impact current judo competitions, it serves as a poignant reminder of the sport’s rich history and the human stories behind its greatest achievements. The International Judo Federation (IJF) has not issued an official statement regarding the passing, but sources close to the organization confirm they are preparing a memorial tribute for the upcoming 2026 World Judo Championships in Abu Dhabi, scheduled for November 2026.

For judo fans, this moment offers an opportunity to reflect on:

• The generational impact of coaching and family legacy in Olympic sports
• How traditional values continue to shape modern athletic excellence
• The emotional weight carried by athletes who represent their families on the world stage

How to Honor the Nomura Legacy

Fans looking to pay tribute can:

• Watch Tadahiro Nomura’s 2012 London Olympic gold medal match against Rishod Sobirov (available on the IJF’s official archives)
• Visit the Kodokan Institute in Tokyo, where both Nomura generations trained
• Support the Judo for Life Foundation, which promotes judo’s values globally

Next Steps for Tadahiro Nomura

While Nomura has not announced retirement from competition, his current status remains:

• Actively training at the Tokyo Metropolitan Judo Institute
• Serving as a technical advisor for the Japanese Judo Federation
• Preparing for potential participation in the 2028 Paris Olympics (though age considerations may limit his eligibility)

For judo enthusiasts, this moment serves as both a tribute to Kijiro Nomura’s life and a reminder of the enduring power of the sport to connect generations. As Nomura himself stated in his tribute, “The way my father loved judo… Is my pride.”