Home > News > Mr. Shozo Awazu, Kodokan 9th Dan (Kodokan overseas Japanese instructor) has passed away

Mr. Shozo Awazu, Kodokan 9th Dan (Kodokan overseas Japanese instructor) has passed away

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Mr. Awazu, Kodokan 9th Dan, passed away at his home in Paris on March 17th, 2016. He was 92 years old.(photo1)

 

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His funeral was held solemnly at Crematorium of Clamart (Hauts de seine) in Paris and was attended by about 250 people from all over the country including his students and persons who represent French Judo community such as the officers of the French Judo Federation. Mr. David Douillet also attended the funeral. Mr. Shinro Fujita, Diector of the International Department, from the Kodokan attended.

 

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Mr. Kozo Awazu (son of Mr. Awazu), Mr. Shinji Hosokawa (representative of Tenri University and Tenri Judokai) and Mr. Jean-Luc Rougé (president of French Judo Federation, IJF General Secretary) made speeches in the funeral.

 

Mr. Awazu, 9th dan, received Legion d'honneur in 1999 in recognition of his huge contributions to the development of Judo in France.

 

Legion d'honneur is a decoration of the highest value in France. It was established by Napoleon Bonaparte in 1802. Its purpose is to give an award to citizens who made superb achievements in the fields of culture, science, industry, commerce and creative activities as well as to military men.

 

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photo2:A certificate of appreciation from the Organizing Committee for the Tokyo Olympic Games

 

photo3:The French Judo Team for Munich Olympics. For the first time, French team got 3 bronze medals for light-weight, middle-weight and Open.

Mr. Awazu is the second from the right in the middle row.

 

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photo4:A photo of Mr. Awazu is displayed at the entrance of Awazu Dojo in the Racing Club that is a prestigious sport club in Paris.

 

photo5:A Dojo in the building of French Judo Federation is also called Awazu Dojo.

 

 

A biography of Mr. Shozo Awazu, 9th Dan

 

1923

Born in Kyoto on April 18th and was raised there. Started practicing Judo when he was 10 years old. While he was a high school student, he won first prize for two consecutive years from 1939 when he participated in the All-Japan Inter-Prefectural Tournament as a representative of Kyoto.

1948

The best eight at the All Japan Judo Championship

1949

Graduated from the Ritsumeikan University.

1949

Participated in the All Japan Judo Championship

1950

Moved to France as an assistant of Mr. Mikinosuke Kawaishi, with a recommendation from Mr. Tamio Kurihara, 10th dan (at the time, 9th Dan)

1956

He trained many instructors and great players such as Mr. Henri Courtine who won 4th prize in the first World Judo Championships and Mr. Bernard Pariset who won 4th prize in the second World Judo Championships.

1964

At the Tokyo Olympics, he played an active role as a coach of the French national team.

1967

At the Munich Olympics, French team won 3 bronze medals (light-weight, middle-weight and Open)

1999

Received Legion d'honneur

2002

Promoted to Kodokan 9th Dan

 

 

Photos were reproduced from the following materials:

1: A book about Mr. Awazu Shozo and Mr. Shozen Nakayama (published by Tenrikyo Doyusha)

2: France News Digest

http://www.newsdigest.fr/newsfr/features/4412-shozo-awazu-interview.html

 

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