Kimura Lock

The Legendary Masahiko Kimura: The Judoka Who Conquered Helio Gracie and Redefined Martial Arts

After a grueling 13-minute match, Kimura finally managed to take Gracie down with a double-leg takedown and then executed his trademark move, the ude-garami, also known as the “Kimura lock.”

Masahiko Kimura is considered one of the greatest judokas of all time, known for his incredible skill and dominance in the sport during his prime. Born in Kumamoto, Japan, in 1917, Kimura started practicing judo at the young age of 10. He quickly rose through the ranks and earned his black belt at the age of 17.

Throughout his career, Kimura won many prestigious titles, including the All-Japan Judo Championship and the World Judo Championship. He also became famous for his legendary fight with Brazilian jiu-jitsu master Helio Gracie in 1951.

Kimura’s accomplishments in judo are numerous. He won the All-Japan Judo Championship three times in a row from 1949 to 1951, and he also won the Judo World Championship in 1951. Kimura’s judo techniques were known for their precision and power, and he was especially skilled at throwing his opponents with seoi-nage and uchi-mata.

Kimura’s most famous fight, however, was against Helio Gracie in 1951. At the time, Gracie was considered unbeatable in the sport of Brazilian jiu-jitsu, and he had issued an open challenge to any Japanese judoka who was willing to fight him. Kimura accepted the challenge, and the two men faced off in front of a packed stadium in Brazil.

The fight was a classic battle between the two martial arts, with Gracie attempting to take Kimura down to the ground and submit him with his grappling skills, while Kimura tried to keep the fight standing and use his judo throws. After a grueling 13-minute match, Kimura finally managed to take Gracie down with a double-leg takedown and then executed his trademark move, the ude-garami, also known as the “Kimura lock.”

The Kimura lock is a shoulder lock that puts intense pressure on the shoulder joint and can cause serious injury if not released quickly. Gracie, however, refused to tap out and instead allowed Kimura to break his arm. The referee stopped the fight, and Kimura was declared the winner.

Kimura’s victory over Gracie was a significant moment in the history of martial arts, as it demonstrated the effectiveness of judo techniques against Brazilian jiu-jitsu. It also cemented Kimura’s legacy as one of the greatest judokas of all time.

In conclusion, Masahiko Kimura was a true legend of judo, known for his incredible skill and dominance in the sport. His victory over Helio Gracie in 1951 is still talked about today as one of the greatest moments in the history of martial arts. Kimura’s legacy continues to inspire and influence martial artists around the world.