Rena “Rusty” Kanokogi, the pioneer for women’s judo, has lost a three-year battle with leukemia at the age of 74. In the 50’s, Rusty competed in judo with men until she had pressed her way into opening the sport up to women in the 80’s. Rusty began to learn the sport from a man who had picked it up in the military. She wanted to compete and found ways to do so under the radar. With short hair and taped breasts, she competed with boys and went a long time before someone asked if she was a girl. She went on to coach the women’s team in the 1988 Olympics. Her amazing story can be read in the New York Times. With out her lobbying, women’s judo would not be where it is now or have seen the Olympics as early as it did.
“Rusty inspired the sports world to think differently about the notion of women in competitive sports and her legacy will live on for generations of athletes to come,” said USA Judo President Lance Nading. “Having my own daughter who loves the sport of judo, I am especially reminded of her contribution to young female judo athletes everywhere. I hesitate to think where women in judo and other Olympic sports would be today if it were not for the fully inclusive notion that Rusty fought for relentlessly every day – that men and woman are truly equal to pursue their dreams within the same sports and set of rules.”
