2019 IJF Gala Dinner Celebrating 55 years of Judo as an Olympic Sport

TOKYO, JAPAN, AUGUST 23: Olympic champion and chairman of the All Japan Judo Federation, Yasuhiru Yamashita welcomes the guests to the 2019 Tokyo Worlds Gala Dinner to celebrate 55 years of Judo as an Olympic Sport at the Grand Prince Takanawa Hotel on August 23, 2019 in Tokyo, Japan. (Photo © by David Finch. All rights reserved. Including image always credited to David Finch) Yasuhiru Yamashita

2019 IJF Gala Dinner Celebrating 55 years of Judo as an Olympic Sport

TOKYO, JAPAN, AUGUST 23: Olympic champion and chairman of the All Japan Judo Federation, Yasuhiru Yamashita welcomes the guests to the 2019 Tokyo Worlds Gala Dinner to celebrate 55 years of Judo as an Olympic Sport at the Grand Prince Takanawa Hotel on August 23, 2019 in Tokyo, Japan. (Photo © by David Finch. All rights reserved. Including image always credited to David Finch) Yasuhiru Yamashita

2019 IJF Gala Dinner Celebrating 55 years of Judo as an Olympic Sport

TOKYO, JAPAN, AUGUST 23: Olympic and World champion and President of the Kodokan, Haruki Uemura of Japan, 68, welcomes the guests to the 2019 IJF Gala Dinner Celebrating 55 years of Judo as an Olympic Sport at the Grand Prince Takanawa Hotel on August 23, 2019 in Tokyo, Japan. Later, Uemura received the award of the best Olympic champion at the 1976 Montreal Games. (Photo © by David Finch. All rights reserved. Including image always credited to David Finch)Haruki Uemura

2019 IJF Gala Dinner Celebrating 55 years of Judo as an Olympic Sport

TOKYO, JAPAN, AUGUST 23: 1976 Olympic champion and President of the Kodokan, Haruki Uemura of Japan, 68, welcomes the guests to the 2019 IJF Gala Dinner Celebrating 55 years of Judo as an Olympic Sport at the Grand Prince Takanawa Hotel on August 23, 2019 in Tokyo, Japan. Later, Uemura received the award of the best Olympic champion at the 1976 Montreal Games. (Photo © by David Finch. All rights reserved. Including image always credited to David Finch)Haruki Uemura

2019 IJF Gala Dinner Celebrating 55 years of Judo as an Olympic Sport

TOKYO, JAPAN, AUGUST 23: The President of the International Judo Federation, Marius Vizer hands a certificate to Princess Tomohito of Mikasa certifying that she has been appointed as an "Ambassador of the International Judo Federation". Standing on the left is 1976 Olympic Champion and President of Kodokan, Haruki Uemura and on the right 1984 Olympic Champion and President of he Japanese Olympic Committee, Yasuhiro Yamashita. The ceremony took place during the 2019 IJF Gala Dinner Celebrating 55 years of Judo as an Olympic Sport at the Grand Prince Takanawa Hotel on August 23, 2019 in Tokyo, Japan. (Photo © by David Finch. All rights reserved. Including image always credited to David Finch)Marius Vizer (ROU); Haruki Uemura (JPN);Yasuhiru Yamashita (JPN);Princess Tomohito of Mikasa (JPN)

2019 IJF Gala Dinner Celebrating 55 years of Judo as an Olympic Sport

TOKYO, JAPAN, AUGUST 23: The President of the International Judo Federation, Marius Vizer hands a certificate to Princess Tomohito of Mikasa certifying that she has been appointed as an "Ambassador of the International Judo Federation" during the 2019 IJF Gala Dinner Celebrating 55 years of Judo as an Olympic Sport at the Grand Prince Takanawa Hotel on August 23, 2019 in Tokyo, Japan. (Photo © by David Finch. All rights reserved. Including image always credited to David Finch)Marius Vizer;Princess Tomohito of Mikasa

2019 IJF Gala Dinner Celebrating 55 years of Judo as an Olympic Sport

TOKYO, JAPAN, AUGUST 23: President of the Australian Judo Federation and chairman of the Tokyo 2020 Coordination Committee, John Coates speaks to the guests during the 2019 IJF Gala Dinner Celebrating 55 years of Judo as an Olympic Sport at the Grand Prince Takanawa Hotel on August 23, 2019 in Tokyo, Japan. (Photo © by David Finch. All rights reserved. Including image always credited to David Finch)John Coates

2019 IJF Gala Dinner Celebrating 55 years of Judo as an Olympic Sport

TOKYO, JAPAN, AUGUST 23: The President of the Australian Judo Federation and chairman of the Tokyo 2020 Coordination Committee, John Coates awards IJF President, Marius Vizer of Romania the Presidents Trophy in recognition of his work for international sport during the 2019 IJF Gala Dinner Celebrating 55 years of Judo as an Olympic Sport at the Grand Prince Takanawa Hotel on August 23, 2019 in Tokyo, Japan. (Photo © by David Finch. All rights reserved. Including image always credited to David Finch)John Coates;Marius Vizer

2019 IJF Gala Dinner Celebrating 55 years of Judo as an Olympic Sport

TOKYO, JAPAN, AUGUST 23: IJF President, Marius Vizer presents former Japanese Prime Minister, Yoshiro Mori the IJF Gold Medal for his work as President of the Tokyo Organising Committee for the Olympic Games during the 2019 IJF Gala Dinner Celebrating 55 years of Judo as an Olympic Sport at the Grand Prince Takanawa Hotel on August 23, 2019 in Tokyo, Japan. (Photo © by David Finch. All rights reserved. Including image always credited to David Finch)Marius Vizer;Yoshiro Mori

2019 IJF Gala Dinner Celebrating 55 years of Judo as an Olympic Sport

TOKYO, JAPAN, AUGUST 23: The guests are seated while renowned Romanian tenor, Marcel Pavel, 59, sings to them during the 2019 IJF Gala Dinner Celebrating 55 years of Judo as an Olympic Sport at the Grand Prince Takanawa Hotel on August 23, 2019 in Tokyo, Japan. (Photo © by David Finch. All rights reserved. Including image always credited to David Finch) Marcel Pavel

2019 IJF Gala Dinner Celebrating 55 years of Judo as an Olympic Sport

TOKYO, JAPAN, AUGUST 23: The guests are seated while renowned Romanian tenor, Marcel Pavel, 59, sings to them during the 2019 IJF Gala Dinner Celebrating 55 years of Judo as an Olympic Sport at the Grand Prince Takanawa Hotel on August 23, 2019 in Tokyo, Japan. (Photo © by David Finch. All rights reserved. Including image always credited to David Finch) Marcel Pavel

2019 IJF Gala Dinner Celebrating 55 years of Judo as an Olympic Sport

TOKYO, JAPAN, AUGUST 23: Watched by Olympic champion, Robert Van de Walle, Anton Geesink Jnr talks about his late father after receiving the Herand Porcelain engraved plate on his behalf as the 1964 Best Olympic Champion Awardee during the 2019 IJF Gala Dinner Celebrating 55 years of Judo as an Olympic Sport at the Grand Prince Takanawa Hotel on August 23, 2019 in Tokyo, Japan. (Photo © by David Finch. All rights reserved. Including image always credited to David Finch) Anton Geesink Jnr;Robert Van de Walle

2019 IJF Gala Dinner Celebrating 55 years of Judo as an Olympic Sport

TOKYO, JAPAN, AUGUST 23: Olympic and World champion, Haruki Uemura of Japan, 68, happily holds his engraved Herand Porcelain plaque awarded to him as the best Olympic champion at the 1976 Montreal Games during the 2019 IJF Gala Dinner Celebrating 55 years of Judo as an Olympic Sport at the Grand Prince Takanawa Hotel on August 23, 2019 in Tokyo, Japan. Uemura is President of the All-Japan Judo Federation, an IJF Executive Committee member and President of the Kodokan in Tokyo. He is also a ninth dan. (Photo © by David Finch. All rights reserved. Including image always credited to David Finch)Haruki Uemura

2019 IJF Gala Dinner Celebrating 55 years of Judo as an Olympic Sport

TOKYO, JAPAN, AUGUST 23: Elisabeth Ruska talks to fellow awardee, Anton Geesink Jnr after she was awarded the Herand Porcelain plate on behalf of her late Dutch husband, Willem Ruska and Geesink Jnr on behalf of his late Dutch father, Anton Geesink during the 2019 IJF Gala Dinner Celebrating 55 years of Judo as an Olympic Sport at the Grand Prince Takanawa Hotel on August 23, 2019 in Tokyo, Japan. Willem Ruska was awarded for his 1972 Olympic gold medal and Anton Geesink for his 1964 Olympic gold medal. (Photo © by David Finch. All rights reserved. Including image always credited to David Finch)Elisabeth Ruska;Anton Geesink Jnr

2019 IJF Gala Dinner Celebrating 55 years of Judo as an Olympic Sport

TOKYO, JAPAN, AUGUST 23: 1980 Olympic champion, Ezio Gamba of Italy, 60, receives his engraved Herand Porcelain plate from AIPS President, Gianni Merlo of Italy for his success at the 1980 Moscow Games during the 2019 IJF Gala Dinner Celebrating 55 years of Judo as an Olympic Sport at the Grand Prince Takanawa Hotel on August 23, 2019 in Tokyo, Japan. Ezio Gamba is currently the coach to the Russian judo team. (Photo © by David Finch. All rights reserved. Including image always credited to David Finch)Ezio Gamba;Gianni Merlo

2019 IJF Gala Dinner Celebrating 55 years of Judo as an Olympic Sport

TOKYO, JAPAN, AUGUST 23: 1980 Olympic champion, Ezio Gamba of Italy, 60, talks to the audience after receiving his engraved Herand Porcelain plate for his success at the 1980 Moscow Games during the 2019 IJF Gala Dinner Celebrating 55 years of Judo as an Olympic Sport at the Grand Prince Takanawa Hotel on August 23, 2019 in Tokyo, Japan. Ezio Gamba is currently the coach to the Russian judo team. (Photo © by David Finch. All rights reserved. Including image always credited to David Finch)Ezio Gamba

2019 IJF Gala Dinner Celebrating 55 years of Judo as an Olympic Sport

TOKYO, JAPAN, AUGUST 23: President of the Association International Presse Sportif, Gianni Merlo of Italy, right, passes to 1980 Moscow Olympic champion, Robert Van de Walle of Belgium his award of the personalised Herand Porcelain plate to celebrate his 1980 success during the 2019 IJF Gala Dinner Celebrating 55 years of Judo as an Olympic Sport at the Grand Prince Takanawa Hotel on August 23, 2019 in Tokyo, Japan. (Photo © by David Finch. All rights reserved. Including image always credited to David Finch)Robert Van de Walle;Gianni Merlo

2019 IJF Gala Dinner Celebrating 55 years of Judo as an Olympic Sport

TOKYO, JAPAN, AUGUST 23: Robert Van de Walle of Belgium speaks to the audience after receiving his unique Herand Porcelain plate awarded to him for his 1980 Moscow Olympic gold medal success during the 2019 IJF Gala Dinner Celebrating 55 years of Judo as an Olympic Sport at the Grand Prince Takanawa Hotel on August 23, 2019 in Tokyo, Japan. (Photo © by David Finch. All rights reserved. Including image always credited to David Finch) Robert Van de Walle

2019 IJF Gala Dinner Celebrating 55 years of Judo as an Olympic Sport

TOKYO, JAPAN, AUGUST 23: The Olympic champion Awardees gather together with their unique Herand Porcelain plates (L-R): Robert Van de Walle (BEL), Ezio Gamba (ITA), Haruki Uemura (JPN), Elisabeth Ruska (NED) for Willem Ruska and Anton Geesink Jnr for Anton Geesink during the 2019 IJF Gala Dinner Celebrating 55 years of Judo as an Olympic Sport at the Grand Prince Takanawa Hotel on August 23, 2019 in Tokyo, Japan. The plates were presented by IOC member, Ivan Dibos (PER), TOCOG President, Yoshiro Mori (JPN) and AIPS President Gianni Merlo (ITA). (Photo © by David Finch. All rights reserved. Including image always credited to David Finch)Robert Van de Walle;Ezio Gamba;Haruki Uemura;Elisabeth Ruska;Anton Geesink Jnr;Ivan Dibos;Yoshiro Mori;Gianni Merlo

2019 IJF Gala Dinner Celebrating 55 years of Judo as an Olympic Sport

TOKYO, JAPAN, AUGUST 23: With his name emblazoned on the screen, Olympic and World champion and coach at London's Budokwai Judo Club in 1986, Yasuhiro Yamashita of Japan bows respectfully as he receives the award of the Best Judoka at the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics. The engraved Herand Porcelain plaque was presented by the President of the GAISF, Raffaele Chiulli of Italy during the 2019 IJF Gala Dinner Celebrating 55 years of Judo as an Olympic Sport at the Grand Prince Takanawa Hotel on August 23, 2019 in Tokyo, Japan. Yamashita, 62, is now the President of the Japanese Olympic Association and the Japanese Judo Association. He is also a member of the IOC. (Photo © by David Finch. All rights reserved. Including image always credited to David Finch) Yasuhiru Yamashita;Raffaele Chiulli

2019 IJF Gala Dinner Celebrating 55 years of Judo as an Olympic Sport

TOKYO, JAPAN, AUGUST 23: Olympic and World champion and coach at London's Budokwai Judo Club in 1986, Yasuhiro Yamashita of Japan receives the award of the Best Judoka at the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics during the 2019 IJF Gala Dinner Celebrating 55 years of Judo as an Olympic Sport at the Grand Prince Takanawa Hotel on August 23, 2019 in Tokyo, Japan. Yamashita, 62, is now the President of the Japanese Olympic Association and the Japanese Judo Association. He is also a member of the IOC. The award was presented by the President of the GAISF, Raffaele Chiulli of Italy. (Photo © by David Finch. All rights reserved. Including image always credited to David Finch) Yasuhiru Yamashita;Raffaele Chiulli

2019 IJF Gala Dinner Celebrating 55 years of Judo as an Olympic Sport

TOKYO, JAPAN, AUGUST 23: Olympic, World champion and judo legend, Yasuhiru Yamashita thanks the IJF and the audience for the Herand Porcelain plate recognising his 1984 Olympic gold medal as the best of the Games during the 2019 IJF Gala Dinner Celebrating 55 years of Judo as an Olympic Sport at the Grand Prince Takanawa Hotel on August 23, 2019 in Tokyo, Japan. (Photo © by David Finch. All rights reserved. Including image always credited to David Finch)Yasuhiru Yamashita

2019 IJF Gala Dinner Celebrating 55 years of Judo as an Olympic Sport

TOKYO, JAPAN, AUGUST 23: Olympic, World champion and judo legend, Yasuhiru Yamashita of Japan, 62, thanks the IJF and the audience for the Herand Porcelain plaque recognising his 1984 Olympic gold medal as the best of the Games during the 2019 IJF Gala Dinner Celebrating 55 years of Judo as an Olympic Sport at the Grand Prince Takanawa Hotel on August 23, 2019 in Tokyo, Japan. Yamashita is the President of the Japanese Olympic Committee and a member of the IOC. He also coached at the London Budokwai for a year in 1986. (Photo © by David Finch. All rights reserved. Including image always credited to David Finch)Yasuhiru Yamashita

2019 IJF Gala Dinner Celebrating 55 years of Judo as an Olympic Sport

TOKYO, JAPAN, AUGUST 23: Mrs Mieko Saito of Japan receives the engraved Herand Porcelain plate on behalf of her late husband, Hitoshi Saito who was awarded as the best 1988 Seoul Olympic champion. Raffaele Chiulli of Italy, President of the GAISF, presented the award during the 2019 IJF Gala Dinner Celebrating 55 years of Judo as an Olympic Sport at the Grand Prince Takanawa Hotel on August 23, 2019 in Tokyo, Japan. (Photo © by David Finch. All rights reserved. Including image always credited to David Finch)Mieko Saito;Raffaele Chiulli