Toshihiko Koga, a gold medalist of the Barcelona Olympic Judo who died on the 24th of this month, went to the night, and many people with whom he had a close relationship mourned his death.
Koga's commute was held at a temple in Kawasaki City on the evening of the 28th, and there were many friends such as Yasuhiro Yamashita, chairman of the All Japan Judo Federation, and Hidehiko Yoshida, who was a junior of Koga and won the gold medal at the Barcelona Olympics. People attended.
On the altar, next to Mr. Koga's smiling face, photos of him winning the gold medal in the men's 71 kg class at the Barcelona Olympics were lined up, and the attendees quietly joined hands.
Mr. Koga was called "Heisei Sanshiro" because of his vivid back-to-back throwing, and participated in three Olympic Games including the Barcelona Games.
After retiring from active duty in 2000, he worked hard to train younger generations, such as serving as an all-Japan women's coach and general director of the university, and died of cancer on the 24th of this month at the age of 53.
Mr. Koga's farewell ceremony will be held on the 29th.
Hidehiko Yoshida "Thanks to my seniors"
Hidehiko Yoshida said, "I met him the day before he died, so I'm really incredible. I've been eating the same rice in the kettle since I was in junior high school. Thanks to my seniors, I was able to win the gold medal. "
Chairman Yasuhiro Yamashita "Keep watching"
Yasuhiro Yamashita, chairman of the All Japan Judo Federation, said, "I think he still had a lot of things he wanted to do in the judo world, and everyone around me, including myself, was expecting his guidance. I want you to look forward to your success. Japan Judo wants to do its best so that Mr. Koga will smile from above at the upcoming Tokyo Olympics. "
He said to Mr. Koga, "Thank you. Please continue to watch the judo world from heaven. Please rest in peace."