Keiko Fukuda: The First Woman to Reach the Summit of Judo

At 98, while most people rest, she was still teaching judo three times a week

At an age when most people have long retired, Keiko Fukuda was on the mat, teaching the art she had devoted her entire life to. In 2011, at 98 years old, she became the first woman in history to receive the 10th Dan, the highest rank in judo.

Before her, only three men in Japan had ever achieved this distinction.

The Last Living Link to Kano

Fukuda was the only living person to have trained directly under Jigoro Kano, the founder of judo who established the Kodokan in 1882. She began practicing in 1935 and would dedicate the next 78 years of her life to the gentle way.

Born on April 12, 1913, in Japan, she moved to San Francisco in 1966 at Kano’s request to help spread judo internationally. She continued teaching at her Noe Valley dojo until her final days, passing away on February 9, 2013, at 99 years old.

Breaking the Glass Ceiling

When Fukuda started judo, women were forbidden from advancing beyond 5th dan. The martial arts world considered higher ranks exclusively male territory.

She achieved 6th dan in 1972, already a historic breakthrough. But she didn’t stop fighting. Almost forty years later, she shattered the ultimate barrier.

Her competitive achievements include:

• Multiple medals at the U.S. National Championships
• Inducted into the Black Belt Hall of Fame as Judoka of the Year (2009)
• Order of the Sacred Treasure from the Japanese government
• Author of influential judo instructional books

Judo Was Her Marriage

Instead of marrying or starting a family, Fukuda chose the mat:

“All I have done is Judo, and it has been my marriage. This was my destiny since life was created. Even so, I never imagined how long this path would take me.”

When asked about her philosophy, she told the San Francisco Chronicle:

“Gentle, kind, and beautiful, but firm and strong at the same time, both mentally and physically.”

She added that true beauty comes from within:

“A compassionate soul is inner beauty.”

A Dream Realized

When USA Judo awarded her the historic 10th dan in 2011, her response was simple:

“This is a dream come true.”

She had waited 76 years for that moment.

Her Legacy

Fukuda dedicated her later years to women’s judo, running a dojo exclusively for female practitioners. She became a symbol of perseverance, proof that passion has no expiration date.

Her story carries a message that transcends martial arts: dedication, patience, and courage can overcome any barrier, at any age.

“Be strong, be gentle, be beautiful”: these were the words Keiko Fukuda lived by for nearly a century. Her legacy continues every time a woman steps onto the tatami.