New Japanese Olympic Committee President Yamashita Yasuhiro was recognised as the best Olympic judoka from Los Angeles 1984, where he won the open category ©YouTube

Newly-elected Japanese Olympic Committee (JOC) President Yamashita Yasuhiro was among those honoured by the International Judo Federation (IJF) here tonight as the sport celebrated the 55th anniversary of making its debut at the Olympic Games.

During a Gala Dinner held on the eve of the World Championships, due to start in the Japanese capital on Sunday (August 25), the IJF gave special awards recognising the best judoka from each Games since Tokyo 1964.

Yasuhiro was winner of the open category at the 1984 Olympic Games in Los Angeles, a victory achieved against the odds after he tore a right calf muscle in his preliminary match.

"I feel very honoured to be awarded this prize in front of our judo family," the 62-year-old Yasuhiro told the audience.

"Since I can first remember judo was my life. 

"Without judo I would not be the person I am today. 

"I look forward to working with all of you to progress judo, thank you very much."

Yamashita Yasuhiro, second right, was among a number of Olympic champions whose achievements were recognised by the IJF at a special Gala Dinner on the eve of this year's World Championships in Tokyo ©IJF
Yamashita Yasuhiro, second right, was among a number of Olympic champions whose achievements were recognised by the IJF at a special Gala Dinner on the eve of this year's World Championships in Tokyo ©IJF

Yasuhiro was elected President of the All Japan Judo Federation in March 2017 and in June took up the same position at the JOC as a replacement for Tsunekazu Takeda after he was forced to resign following a corruption scandal linked to Tokyo's successful bid for the 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Games. 

Also honoured was France's Teddy Riner, recognised as the best male judoka at London 2012 and Rio 2016 for his consecutive gold medals in the over-100 kilograms category.

The 30-year-old, also winner of eight IJF World Championship gold medals, is not competing here as he prepares to try to extend his career until Tokyo 2020 and then Paris 2024.

"It's a beautiful award and I'm very pleased," Riner said.

The best female athlete of Rio 2016 was Kayla Harrison, who retained the under-78kg title she had won at London 2012.

The award for the 29-year-old American, now a mixed martial artist unbeaten in her first five fights, was collected on her behalf by Keith Bryant, executive director of USA Judo.

Fittingly, the winner of the Tokyo 1964 award was The Netherlands' Anton Geesink, the only non-Japanese gold medallist when judo made its Olympic debut.

The award for Geesink, who died in 2010, was given to his son, also called Anton.

"After 55 years my father can still make the judo family proud," Anton Geesink junior said.

Women made their debut in judo at the 1992 Olympic Games when the winners included Spain's Miriam Blasco, winner of the 57kg in Barcelona.

Blasco later married Britain's Nicola Fairbrother, who she had defeated in that final at Barcelona 1992.

Like Riner, Japan's Tani Ryoko also received a double award.

She was recognised for her victories in the under-48kg at Sydney 2000 and 2004.

Overall, Ryoko won a total of five Olympic medals having also won silver at Barcelona 1992 and Atlanta 1996, and bronze at Beijing 2008.