13 Powerful Quotes from Ronda Rousey’s Autobiography My Fight / Your Fight
Get inside the mind of a champion. These 13 quotes from Ronda Rousey’s autobiography show what it really takes to fight—and win—at the highest level.
Kano Jigoro
Bio
Kanō Jigorō (嘉納 治五郎, October 28, 1860 – May 4, 1938) was a pioneering Japanese educator, martial artist, and the founder of judo, a modern martial art that has become a global sport and an Olympic discipline.
Born in Mikage (now part of Kobe), Kanō was a small and frail child who faced bullying, which inspired him to seek physical strength through martial arts. He began his training in jujutsu under Fukuda Hachinosuke, a practitioner of the Tenjin Shin'yō-ryū school. After Fukuda's death, Kanō continued his studies with Iso Masatomo and later with Iikubo Tsunetoshi, mastering techniques from the Kitō-ryū school. These experiences laid the foundation for his development of judo.
In 1882, Kanō established the Kodokan in Tokyo, the first institution dedicated to the practice and teaching of judo. He integrated principles from traditional jujutsu with new techniques and pedagogical methods, emphasizing randori (free practice) and kata (forms) to develop both physical skill and mental discipline. Judo's core philosophy centers on "Maximum Efficiency with Minimum Effort" and "Mutual Welfare and Benefit," promoting personal growth and societal harmony.
Beyond martial arts, Kanō was a prominent educator. He served as the director of primary education for the Ministry of Education from 1898 to 1901 and as president of the Tokyo Higher Normal School from 1900 to 1920. He was instrumental in incorporating judo and kendo into Japan's public school curriculum during the 1910s .
Kanō also played a significant role in international sports. He became the first Asian member of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) in 1909 and represented Japan at most Olympic Games between 1912 and 1936. His advocacy was crucial in judo's inclusion as an Olympic sport.
To ask may be but a moment's shame, not to ask and remain ignorant is a lifelong shame.
Walk a single path, becoming neither cocky with victory nor broken with defeat, without forgetting caution when all is quiet or becoming frightened when danger threatens.
If there is effort, there is always accomplishment.
Face your fear, empty yourself, trust your own voice, let go of control, have faith in outcomes, connect with a larger purpose, derive meaning from the struggle.
Judo is the way to the most effective use of both physical and spiritual strength.
Walk a single path, become neither cocky with victory nor broken with defeat.
For one thing, Judo in reality is not a mere sport or game. I regard it as a principle of life, art and science. In fact, it is a means for personal cultural attainment.
Judo helps us to understand that worry is a waste of energy.
Before and after practicing Judo or engaging in a match, opponents bow to each other. Bowing is an expression of gratitude and respect. In effect, you are thanking your opponent for giving you the opportunity to improve your technique.
Judo is the way to the most effective use of both physical and spiritual strength. By training you in attacks and defenses it refines your body and your soul and helps you make the spiritual essence of Judo a part of your very being. In this way you are able to perfect yourself and contribute something of value to the world. This is the final goal of Judo discipline.
Paradoxically, the man who has failed and one who is at the peak of success are in exactly the same position. Each must decide what he will do next, choose the course that will lead him to the future.