Masahiko Kimura VS Rikidozan : History & technical breakdown 木村 政彦 力道山

[@chamcham123]

For those complaining about the referee. Rikidozan was the owner of that wrestling organization. So the referee isn’t going to argue or stop him.

[@jusko2565]

I've seen lots of people talking about this from a pro wrestling perspective, but you're the first Judo player to actually break it down from a martial artist's POV. It's refreshing to see this infamous event broken down in this way. Thank you for sharing your knowledge. I hope your video reaches pro wrestling fans too.

[@Chadi]

Thank you Justin

[@anomyous1518]

Masahiko Kimura was an awsome legend in martial arts.

[@wasabi5338]

Mas Oyama (kyokushin founder) was good friends with Kimura that he was so angered by this and offered to kill Rikidozan.

[@SamTheSentinel]

I remember reading an excerpt from Kimura's book where he says Rik was supposed to chop him in the chest but decided to hit him in the neck. Kimura then states he was out for a few seconds before the kicks etc started raining down. The Yakuza contacted Kimura straight after the fight demanding Riks blood but Kimura says he talked them out of it. The match took place in the early 50's I believe and the nightclub incident in the early 60's.

[@Chadi]

Thank you for this! Yes the nightclub incident was in 63

[@SamTheSentinel]

All the bits I've read from the book are amazing, the bit where he fights the MP's in post war Japan had me creased "I disposed of the last man by squeezing his balls with full force. Ever since I was in junior high, I have been called Master Groin Squeezer, and had absolute confidence in this technique." 🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@Chadi]

Hahahaha i need to read it myself

[@SamTheSentinel]

@@Chadi I think the condensed version is here 👍 judoinfo.com/kimura2/

[@mikerelva6915]

Kimura shoulda just choked him out the second it went off script. Kimura was a real fighter. Riki wasnt.

[@RichardYu1983]

I’ve seen this match several times. Rikidozan shot on Kimura after he felt like Kimura tried to kick him in the sack. That’s when the match turned into a shoot.

[@Chadi]

Still his reaction was unnecessary

[@JamesLee-cn8ws]

That's a lot of bullshit. In wrestling, if you attempt to kick someone's testicles, that's definitely crossed the red line. You should be punished no matter what, period.

[@bryanreyes7382]

@@JamesLee-cn8ws but it was an accident. Kimura didn't do it on purpose.

[@rambeezy]

@@JamesLee-cn8ws professional my guy these are suppose to be professionals

[@eldarpanther1513]

I randomly stumbled upon your channel a few weeks ago. You are seriously underrated and have great content. I trained aikido for six years, then BJJ for five and now (hopefully) after this Corona crisis is over I intent on starting Judo for sure. The contents of your channel was like the final nail on that coffin for that decision. Cheers :D ps: I really hope I find a judo school that puts a bit more emphasis on newaza.

[@Chadi]

This makes me very happy! I want to spread the real message of Judo and what it's really capable of and the history, hope you find a club soon

[@Supermomo2007]

what is more effective for street? bjj, aikido or judo?

[@mpforeverunlimited]

Man if you had just did judo instead of Aikido then you'd be a beast right now. What belt were you in BJJ?

[@Chadi]

@@Supermomo2007 judo, it focuses a lot on the standing grappling, take downs, and pinning and really holding someone down/submission, bjj is mostly ground.

[@Supermomo2007]

@@Chadi ah ok. But can i beat a bjj guy in a no rules grappling match, how learn judo leglocks without cross train?

[@Lukaz3220]

You should read "Baki the Grappler". Yuichiro Hanma is based in Kimura.

[@Chadi]

Will do, i watched the new anime

[@hypnoticskull6342]

It wouldn’t surprise me if Kimura was actually in the Hanma family

[@exxotron8305]

I was going to type this but saw your comment. It's really beautiful how real life instances fuel the imagination of great Mangakas.

[@ranfan1820]

He was? They sorta look similar but what makes you say that?

[@pongobongo1377]

@@ranfan1820 There's a spin-off about Doppo Orochi and in the first chapter, it starts off with Yuichiro wrestling "Rikigouzan"(a reference to Rikidouzan) and in the match Rikigouzan even starts punching Yuichiro. Edit: Forgot to mention, that the narrator calls Yuichiro a judo master during the chapter.

[@risboturbide9396]

Great video! We are lucky to have youtube and all these Rikidozan matches.

[@JoeyBonzo]

As always another fantastic video breakdown! I've always been a huge fan of wrestling (catch and Japanese) and very few people talk about how deeply it's intertwined with other martial arts! A bit of history on Rikidozan, he was a North Korean immigrant who was adopted in Japan and quickly became a sumo wrestler where he had decent success. After watching an American wrestling show he made the jump using the karate he had learned alongside the catch style wrestling he was trained in to become a professional wrestler. I would argue that the 50's/60's are arguably some of the most important in martial arts as we saw the emergence and evolutions of numerous styles from men like Rikidozan, Kimura, Karl Gotch, and Mas Oyama.

[@Chadi]

Indeed! Footage from that era are gold

[@kaz5150619]

Rikidozan helped keep Pro Wrestling thriving post war him and Giant Baba deserve tremendous respect for what they were able to do alongside Inoki

[@alancat2705]

I 'm very glad you have cleared up this fight with Kimura v Rikidozan !. when i was a kid in the late 70s-early 80s there was a video called " kings of the square ring " with all " mixed match " pre MMA fights on e.g muhammed ali v Antonio inoki and PKA karate guys v inoki and Seji Sachaguchi , Benny "jet " Urquidez against muay thai fighter . However; it showed Kimura v Rikidozan wrestling briefly and claimed that Kimura was uselles against the wrstler and left the ring demoralised and exhausted !...which i did not believe for one second for it is an american video and we know how americans tend to expand on the truth to sell the viseo .This underhanded tactices brought to light here clears alot of things that pondered me for almost 40years !- cheers for another superb video !.

[@Chadi]

Thank you so much Alan

[@alancat2705]

@@Chadi You're very welcome my friensd . I really enjoy looking forward to your videos !:)

[@SoldierDrew]

Kimura's biography explained everything about this incident first hand for those interested.

[@spyrogaira9819]

Good one Chadi Nice breakdown and showcase of the techniques. I think its from the kick that really dazed Kimura and just the chop was that follow up. Keep up the good work brother Peace!!!

[@Chadi]

Thank you brother!

[@TheJitsGuy]

This was such a surprising video man... it felt scripted at start but that ending was unexpected. Thanks for another great video Chadi!

[@Chadi]

Thank you! Indeed the ending was chaotic and unexpected

[@kaz5150619]

Thesz and Gotch and Wood for helping to introduce Catch wrestling in Japan

[@javierparedes14]

A shame as a referee, Kimura didn't want to fight and he respect the rules. I think Kimura didn't know what was happening.

[@kpllc4209]

Pro wrestling was a lot different back then. This wasn't sports entertainment it was a real match but both competitors are working. When Rikidozan shoots on Kimura the ref doesn't flinch. He doesn't hit with closed fists and when Kimura looks at the ref for help, the ref motions lets go fight. Kimura is out on his feet at the end when the ref checks him, he is just looking around confused till he finally goes down after a chop.

[@Chadi]

It looked nasty

[@rambeezy]

Bullshitt this wasn’t part of it

[@paulpower6920]

I'm enjoying your posts. You do your research very well.

[@Chadi]

Thank you Paul

[@munobasho9]

Mas Oyama, founder of Kyokushin karate and who was famous for the staged bull-fight at the time, allegedly challenged Rikidozan after he saw what happened.... but Rikidozan ignored the challenge

[@Chadi]

Maybe he challenged him for show and a chance to make money! Or he thought his striking was better

[@munobasho9]

@@Chadi Yes, that could be... I think the young Oyama at the time was concerned with getting his name known

[@pinfold1000]

BOTH BORN KOREAN

[@kingbyrd.1512]

@@7samurai854 A premonition? Now thats new to me. Where did you hear that from?

[@jorndoff2002]

Rikidozan would stretch Mas Oyama out with ease.

[@sidneysilva2480]

Kimura earlier of the slaps kicked him by accident in the balls, I think that’s why he got mad.

[@Chadi]

Exactly

[@elmalifico3708]

What’s more important than piles of cash? Looking good in a simulated sport. I’ve heard a pro wrestler (Konnan to be exact) once say “the only people who think wrestling is real are the wrestlers”.

[@Chadi]

As real as the pile of cash

[@kpllc4209]

It worked, in pro wrestling everyone know Rikidozan but nobody has ever heard of Kimura.

[@MrSFblack]

@@kpllc4209 Pro wrestling historians know about Kimura, but he's mostly known in the bjj/mma community.

[@kpllc4209]

@@MrSFblack Sure, and outside of Japan obviously. I didn't know he did pro wrestling till I seen this years ago. I don't know if I realized he had his own company till I seen this video. I knew him as the guy that beat Helio. I knew Rikidozan as the biggest star in early Japanese Pro Wrestling. I remember Tony Schiavone pronounced his name Rikidozo and Bobby Heenan immediately shot back Its Rikidozan not Rikidozo you bozo.

[@rafael9910]

Rikidozan was the owner of the event. That is why the judge don't interfered.

[@markymarco2570]

Right before your cut was the groin kick from Kimura. You missed it for just one second.

[@wendellignatin1228]

wow. that was entertaining. Thank you my friend.That started out as a grappling contest and then progressed to strikes. Those strikes were not with a fist. Those were open palm strikes and I thought I saw one cross-chop as well. Never doubt that the open palm is as effective as a fist!

[@Chadi]

I would argue open palms hurt more, i can punch a table a few times but i can palm strike it all day.

[@wendellignatin1228]

yeah. and more importantly than that... you don't hurt your fist! I've seen a lot of guys sprain/break their wrist/hands throwing closed fists.

[@wendellignatin1228]

Striking with the elbow is effective as well. The elbow is the strongest bone in the body and won't break. Elbow strikes are effective because they can easily cut your opponent.

[@Chadi]

@@wendellignatin1228 true

[@temoherbertlopez6019]

Bas Rutten

[@Moodymongul]

10:16 - those are not chops to the neck. They are (mostly) classic CACC wrist/bone strikes to the head/face. They are bloody evil. Obviously Rikidozan overreacted to the nut-shots :) But (imho), Kimura didn't have the 'character' (no ring craft, per se) for wrestling (he looks very 'stiff' for most of the match). That might have been another part of the reason Rikidozan just 'took over' and roughed him up. That isn't unknown in wrestling ..when dealing with a 'stiff' worker.

[@Chadi]

His face at the end says it all

[@tichtran8792]

Some pro wrestlers were known to be very stiff in the ring. Including Dean malenko. In fact Bret Hart said he wanted to confront dean after their match. But Dean already took a shower and scram outta there. Not Dean fault. He was trained by Boris Malenko and KARL GOTCH. Dean malenko was known as the SHOOTER( legit catch wrestler) and man of a thousand holds. And Bret Hart was also a shooter( trained by stu hart). But even he thought dean malenko was "TOO stiff". LOL

[@tichtran8792]

Trust me you would not want to mess with Dean , Joe, or even Debbie Malenko. LOL.

[@rafael9910]

Kimura had karate knowledge. He almost destroyed Waldemar's face in a vale tudo in Salvador, Brazil.

[@lancemannly]

Yeah he trained with Mas Oyama, the founder of kyokushin karate

[@JudoLife]

Was that another ear slap or a chop that finished Kimura ?

[@imankhan1999]

I watched this match a week ago. Was a great fight, considering that how they fought was kinda like WWE in the 60s. Legendary

[@Chadi]

Indeed!

[@MrSFblack]

This was a pro wrestling match, not a fight. But Rikidozan decided to shoot on Kimura for real.

[@caulijutsu1575]

There isn’t a full video of the match. I wonder if what Kimura said is true. About Riki throwing the first cheap shot

[@sebastian-benedictflore]

There is. Uploaded 13 years ago in two parts

[@omarrodriguez45]

Ur the man Chadi !!!

[@Lee7676]

20 years ago ,Japanese tv interviewed yakuza who killed rikidozan and only one eyewitness both of them denied it was a set up attack against rikidozan.yakuza said he try to go to restroom and rikidozan blocked him and rikidozan pushed him yakuza fly away few meters than rikidozan punched him several times so yakuza thought he will kill me so he stabbed rikis stomach.rikidozan supposed to go big hospital to treat his wound instead he went to maternity hospital there after 2 weeks he died of stomach infections.yakuza told rikidozan manager’ I stabbed him with my knife and fat came out of it from the knife rikidozan need to go hospital ASAP’ but rikidozan went to maternity hospital and had surgery after 7 hours.it was rikidozan mistake he went to maternity hospital and he didn’t think this is big deal because he was known as strongest man in japan

[@jasoncruz582]

What people dont know is that Mass Oyama wanted to kill this guy becouse of this.

[@pkbailz]

9:27 turns from scripted to angry attacker and confused defender... those kicks and stomp to the head are hard to watch. Also, kimura doesn't seem to "want to continue" his arm stays on the ropes...

[@sebastian-benedictflore]

Agree. I hate seeing this

[@sc430saljas7]

Masutatsu Oyama wanted to kill Rikidozan for this.

[@Lexthebarbarian]

you talk this through like it was a real fight.Its a worked, fake fight. Get real.

[@xcd87]

it was supposed to be a fske fight but rikudo got pissed for some reason and started attacking kimura for real, just look at those strikes at the end, physics don't lie.

[@rashidmartialarts9513]

Keep it up :)

[@Chadi]

Thank you:)

[@rustyshackleford735]

Going shoot in the middle of a work match is a very lowbrow move.

[@Rufus116]

Oyama wanted to kill him for what he did

[@MrMZaccone]

Interesting that so many people revere Kimura as honorable when he participated in "works" like this and the Gracies have always avoided such behavior.

[@Chadi]

Still better than ambushing Rufino Dos Santos

[@MrMZaccone]

@@Chadi If that's how it actually went.

[@kyokusanagi239]

Edmond needs tô study more.

[@MrMZaccone]

@@kyokusanagi239 I continue to study every day. Do you have any evidence? Didn't think so.

[@MrMZaccone]

@Water Gun No. It's really not.

[@SamTheSentinel]

The more I watch this the worse it gets ... there was definitely more than Rik in on this ... When Kimura finally realizes he's being attacked and goes for a single leg the ref just breaks it up because he knows Kimura would probably have a good chance on the ground. Kimura could actually box too acording to My Judo. He learnt from a marine champion at an American Base in Japan. I'm not trying to be a butthurt fan boy, Riks obviously a beast it's just frustrating to see he resorted to these tactics to prove his prowess.

[@Chadi]

It's unfortunate

[@invisiblechurch9621]

Rkidozan grabbed the ropes which breaks the action but I do think the ref is in on it. Is it one of Rikidozan's refs? He keeps warning Kimura about kicking and Kimura hadn't thrown a kick since the low blow that started the fight. I guess basically telling him why this was happening but the whole time he is warning Kimura, Rikidozan is kicking the shit out of him.

[@SamTheSentinel]

@@invisiblechurch9621 I read into it a little more the other day, apparently Koreans were treated badly in Japan and this could be a reason why Rik chose to do this. Thanks for clearing it up about grabbing the ropes. I think by the time Kimura realized it was a real fight it was almost over for him. Would have loved to have seen a fair fight between these two. Kimura fought a young vale tudo champ years later to a draw so I think Kimura would of at least been able to give Rik a competitive fight.

[@invisiblechurch9621]

@@SamTheSentinel Just from watching the video, not listening to stories it looks like an low blow sent Rikidozan into a rage. Some stories say that Rikidozan planned it but who knows. With the way the ref is acting I would not dismiss that claim either. Yes Koreans and all foreigners were looked down upon. Rikidozan experienced quite a bit of prejudice while training Sumo, which is why he quit I believe. Probably has some phycological impact on his actions for sure. If it were a proper contest from the start I would put money on Kimura. He had no idea that he would be jumped after preforming for fifteen minutes and that first strike might have really rocked him. He was obviously confused and not ready to fight either way.

[@piguelmonce9937]

Now that I think about it rikidozan would of beat kimura in a legit fight him being a former sekiwake kimura reaction to the the palm strike

[@JamesLee-cn8ws]

Kimura tried to kick Rikidozan's private part (testicles), and that's why Rikidozan hit him back with real blows. Kimura violated the rules, first.

[@JamesLee-cn8ws]

Kimura was an asshole, that's why Rikidozan paid him back.

[@themartialmen8357]

True bro

[@elijahdeluna9187]

That vicious attack made me sick!! What a disgusting thing to do. Very interesting story nonetheless 👍

[@muhammadibnvictor3682]

This is yet anodher episode of people with no Honor ,cowards from the history of japan.Sensei Kimura trusted that sport competition and he resoected the rules they agreed on .his coward oponent wanted to become famouse defeating Sensei Kimura ,however if he wanted to do so he should have asked for a honorable fight and not use deception and trkery.

[@kevthegoat8774]

Could Rikidozan have beaten him in a shoot where Kimura knows he's in a fight?

[@asepgostan8014]

Not fear

[@clip1720ETH]

Kimura is 33 years old at the time and this dude says he looks in pretty good shape for his age lol... the guy is young bruv

[@Mubarak-11B]

Crazy seeing some WWE guy do this to the man that literally almost killed Helio Gracie.

[@santoslucas4731]

木村も実力以上に持ち上げられてる感が否めない

[@henrikg1388]

There is only one thing that seems fishy to me. I admit that I never trained karate or any similar art. (Kick-)Boxing/Muay Thai was really my primary sport. So it seems curious that a "karate chop" to the neck, could actually KO somebody like Kimura was. I guess he could be temporarily stunned, but not completely floored like that.

[@Chadi]

Karate chops do work, Rikidozan was far bigger, and denser, with enough hand conditioning you can create bats for forearms

[@henrikg1388]

@@Chadi I am still a bit skeptical. Even if my striking styles used gloves, there is no padding on the sides. If karate chops worked, they would have been used in boxing for the last 100 years. I've felt strikes to the side of the neck quite a few times, and I don't say that they don't work. The only thing I am saying is that they may paralyze or stun you, but not knock you out like a perfect hook to the chin. Big difference.

[@Chadi]

@@henrikg1388 i would recommend you ask black belt Karateka, I'm sure they know a lot about the subject

[@henrikg1388]

@@Chadi I am hoping someone could show up here and explain. 😉

[@kevionrogers2605]

@@henrikg1388 in boxing you can only strike with the proximal phalangeal.

[@robl1616]

i am not convinced it was not staged even at the end....most likely went harder to look more brutal, just doubt that Kimura would not have fought harder and moved more ,attacked more if he thought the other guy was fighting for real

[@Chadi]

His face all swollen at the end shows the severity of these blows, Rikidozan was far taller and heavoer than him, i doubt he could have done something especially when cornered like this

[@robl1616]

@@Chadi maybe but just seems odd that he didnt fight harder, maybe was confused didnt know how to react...but in pro wrestling they do hit for real sometimes and cut themselves for realism...pretty certain if Kimura came for real fight would easily beat him

[@Chadi]

@@robl1616 possible

[@kpllc4209]

If you can fake giving or receiving a soccer kick to the head like that the WWE will sign you right now

[@robl1616]

@@kpllc4209 did you see soccer kicks in the UFC compared to that...looked real at the same time was not full swing.....i fought pro and was on national team in judo so have a little idea about intensity....if you look at the hits you notice that he still stayed in character only using slaps and chops no closed fists....i might be wrong, might be real, just a few points makes me wonder if was not staged to create controversy

[@trumplostlol3007]

It is not a fair match because they are not wearing any clothes. We all know Judo is for self defense. Everyone wears clothes in Japan, especially in winter time. And they are not in the same weight class.

[@MrMZaccone]

I also find it interesting that we don't see Kimura use his legs defensively after he has fallen, as would be common in BJJ. If Judo has really always had all the techniques of BJJ, why do we not see them here, as a man touted as one of the greatest Judoka of all time is beaten senseless due in part to the lack of them?

[@killer3000ad]

Kimura thought they were still 'working', not realizing that Rikidozan had gone off script.

[@gauban986]

Did you know Pro wrestling used to be legit catch wrestling sport? It become a "worked" show because it wasnt as excitng as boxing also pro wrestling is a just like a Chreographed Martial arts like those Wushu and Aikido demonstrasions.

[@tichtran8792]

But in the old days pro wrestlers got started in the carnivals. Where, yes they had worked matches with each others, but SHOOT matches with the audience. Although sometimes they had plants in the audience. Heck even the famous Mildred Burke started as a carnival wrestler.

[@tichtran8792]

@Water Gun Yes it got started in Lancashire UK. But the submission form of catch wrestling ( not the amateur catch wrestling) got started in the carnival. Especially with the arrival of Yukio Tani. Before that no submission in catch wrestling ( at least according to one book). At least in UK. But here in the USA there was already submission in catch wrestling by 1860. But catch did evolved from Lancashire up and down fighting which did have submission.

[@tichtran8792]

@Water Gun Submission in Europe but were they in UK other than Lancashire up and down fighting?!

[@theemperorcharlemagne]

@Water Gun Your knowledge is consistent with my research. There absolutely was submissions in the English school of wrestling prior to Japanese influence. There's literature on the subject as well as record of competitive matches.

[@tichtran8792]

@Water Gun Well yeah most early catch wrestling matches were finished by pinning. And using toe hold, neck cranks, etc for pinning means they WASN'T submission technically.

[@fernandohsantos]

Honestly, for me those fake matches are ridiculous... I really don't understand how people find it amusing watching a staged "fight", far away from reality. Anyway, this is just my opinion. Of course, even if Kimura accidentally provoked Rikidozan to knock him out after that kick in the lower abdomen, Rikidozan went completely out of "professionalism" by breaking his agreement. For me, these fake matches lack the honor concept imbued in martial arts, so Kimura could not complain of the results once he accepted to enter this sort of business.

[@Chadi]

I think people enjoy these scripted fights just like they enjoy hollywood movies

[@RenegadeRanga]

Rikidozan's actions were filthy and don't make any sense. A second show they would have made more money. Also he had an agreement and then metaphorically stabbed kimura in the back. As for him being stabbed by a Yakuza member, well don't make a mess of their business.

[@edwigelacroix4184]

Rikidozan got the nerve to bow down to kimura after he cheated.

[@oraclebjj]

Your bjj nogi knowledge tells me you likely do bjj. Yes?

[@javierparedes14]

the Japanese killed him because he was a shame and a traitor

[@Николавасев-д7ч]

Kimura kick him first in Hara..then Rikidozan get piss off!

[@geraldfriend256]

Is Hara a stadium in Okinawa?

[@Chadi]

His reaction still is not justifiable though

[@marrakechsportracer4170]

@@Chadi The way wrestling was back then,I think that Riki thought that low kick was a ''Shoot'' And probably based on instinct ''Shot'' back in fear of lossing the possible ''Shoot'' for the Title.It's a habit for pro wrestler's given certain situations to act in this manner even in more modern less ''Script wrote'' promotion's we're things like toughness and reputation are still active parts of the territory considered ''Real'' on a very mirco-base level.But this match could've changed the history for Pro wrestling in japan,But perhap's it wasn't yet time.Gotch knew of Dozan as he did work for JWA in ''61.And remarked this time as such.The pride of a tiger spirit wasn't tame .But eventally this came to pass.Thx for the content Chadi'eh.Much love

[@Chadi]

@@marrakechsportracer4170 thank you

[@geraldfriend256]

@@SereneJudo Gaijin be like that oops sorry

[@pinfold1000]

Riki shot on kimura when he thought it was going to be a wrestling match. RIKI Was a very selfish guy and wanted to be the only big name in pro wrestling. If it was a straight up fight kimura would have won. He got what he had coming from yakuza WRESTLING WAS ALWAYS RUN BY THE JAPANESE MOB...

[@Chadi]

But he didn't have a relation with the ambush