Sports · Other Sports · 2 hrs ago
Chiaki Ishii, Brazil’s first Olympic judo medallist, dies aged 85
Chiaki Ishii died aged 85 on Friday, October 16.
Born in Ashikaga, Japan, he moved to Brazil after failing to qualify for the 1964 Olympics and became a Brazilian citizen in 1969.
He won bronze at the 1971 world championships, becoming the first Brazilian to medal there.
At the 1972 Munich Olympics, he won another bronze, Brazil’s first Olympic judo medal.
Ishii also won four Pan American medals, including two golds in 1970 and two more in 1972.
His São Paulo academy helped develop Olympic medallists Walter Carmona and Rafael “Baby” Silva, as well as other judokas.
His legacy includes opening a path for later generations of Brazilian judokas.
Chiaki Ishii, Brazil’s first Olympic judo medallist, died aged 85 on Friday, October 16.
Born in Ashikaga, Japan, Ishii moved to Brazil after losing Japan’s selection trial for the 1964 Olympics and became a Brazilian citizen in 1969.
He won bronze at the 1971 World Championships in Ludwigshafen, becoming the first Brazilian to win a medal at the competition.
Ishii won another bronze at the 1972 Munich Olympics, Brazil’s first Olympic judo medal.
He also coached judoka at his academy in São Paulo, including Olympic medallists Walter Carmona and Rafael “Baby” Silva.
- Who
- Chiaki Ishii, a Japanese-born Brazilian judoka and coach, died aged 85.
- What
- He was Brazil’s first Olympic judo medallist and its first world judo medallist.
- When
- Friday, October 16. The article was published on October 17, 2026.
- Where
- He was born in Ashikaga, Japan, and later lived and worked in Brazil.
- Why
- Not stated
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Ishii lost Japan’s selection trial for the Olympic Games and moved to Brazil.
Ishii became a Brazilian citizen.
He won bronze at the World Championships in Ludwigshafen, Germany.
Ishii won bronze at the Munich Olympics and two Pan American gold medals.
Ishii died aged 85.
- Age at death
- 85
- Birthplace
- Ashikaga, Japan
- Brazilian citizenship
- 1969
- World Championships
- Bronze in Ludwigshafen, Germany, in 1971
- Olympics
- Bronze in Munich in 1972
- Pan American medals
- Four; gold in the under-93kg and open categories in 1970 and 1972
What people are saying
Today, Brazilian judo says goodbye to one of its greatest figures. Chiaki Ishii was a pioneer who believed in Brazil’s potential and helped show the world the strength of our sport.
His contribution will never be forgotten.