Keiko Fukuda

Keiko Fukuda, born on April twelfth, nineteen thirteen, was a trailblazing Japanese-American judoka and writer. Renowned for her exceptional skills in judo, she achieved the remarkable distinction of being the highest-ranked female judoka in history. In two thousand six, she was awarded the prestigious rank of ninth dan by the Kodokan, making her the first woman to hold this rank from any recognized judo organization.

Fukuda's journey in martial arts began in Japan, where she became a dedicated student of Kanō Jigorō, the founder of judo. She was the last surviving student of this legendary figure, which added to her legacy as a pioneer of women's judo. In nineteen seventy-two, she, alongside her senpai Masako Noritomi, became one of the first two women to be promoted to sixth dan, marking a significant milestone in the history of women's judo.

Her contributions to the sport did not stop there. In July two thousand eleven, she was promoted to tenth dan by both USA Judo and the United States Judo Federation, solidifying her status as the first and only woman to achieve this rank in judo. After completing her formal education in Japan, Fukuda moved to the United States in the nineteen fifties and sixties, where she dedicated her life to teaching judo.

Fukuda settled in the San Francisco Bay Area, where she continued to share her passion for judo until her passing in two thousand thirteen. Her legacy as a teacher and a pioneer continues to inspire future generations of martial artists.