Thimphu, Bhutan, March 25, 2021: The Bhutan Olympic Committee and Bhutan Judo Association have paid an emotional tribute to Japan’s 1992 Olympic judo champion Toshihiko Koga, who passed away on Wednesday, March 24.
“We are very sad to share the news that Japanese judo legend Toshihiko Koga passed away this morning. He was just 53,” the Bhutan Judo Association said in a statement posted on the official Facebook account of the Bhutan Olympic Committee.
“Koga-sensei (teacher) came to Bhutan in February 2016 and donated a set of professional judo tatami mats to the Bhutan Judo Association. Later that year, he hosted the team from the BJA at his dojo, Koga-juku, where the team trained with his young students.”
The statement went on to acknowledge the impact of Koga on the judo world, including Bhutan, and recognise his achievements.
“Toshihiko Koga was a legend in the judo world for his indomitable spirit and is famous for reaching the finals in the All Japan open-weight category in 1990 where his opponent in the finals was almost double his weight,” the statement added.
“He was a gold medallist at the 1992 Barcelona Olympics and again won silver four years later in Atlanta. He won the Kodokan Judo Cup five years in a row and the All-Japan Judo Championship six times in a row, all in the 71kg category.
“For his achievements, Koga-sensei enjoyed celebrity status in Japan as a 7th dan rank holder in judo.
“The members of the Bhutan Judo Association will offer butterlamps in Koga-sensei's memory.”
