Rena “Rusty” Kanokogi, The Mother of Women’s Judo

Rena “Rusty" Kanokogi is recognized around the world as “the mother of women’s judo” for her immense contribution to the sport and her work ensuring women’s inclusion for the female competitors at the international level. In her more than fifty year career, she became the first women to attain the rank of seventh degree black belt, founded the first Women’s World Judo Championship in 1980, and was the driving force behind women’s judo inclusion in the 1988 Olympic Games in Seoul, South Korea.  

In celebration of International Olympic Day, we're revisiting this episode of Big Blend Radio's "Quality of Life" Show with Rena's daughter, Jean Kanokogi, PhD, wo talks about her Mom’s life as documented in her memoir that she co-wrote  “Get Up & Fight: The Memoir of Rena “Rusty” Kanokogi, The Mother of Women’s Judo.”  Along with being a Senior Special Agent for the U.S. Government, Jean is a fifth degree black belt in judo and a highly respected sensei. More: https://www.rustykanokogi.com/