Anton Geesink

John Anthony " Anton" Geesink ( born April 6, 1934 in Utrecht, † August 27, 2010 ) was a Dutch judoka and one of the few non-Japanese winner of the tenth Dan. In addition, Geesink was briefly active as a film actor, and professional wrestler.

Career

The 1.98 m wide and 130 kg Geesink was in 1961 the first world champion in judo, which did not come from Japan. The special resentment of the Japanese he excited at the Olympic Games in Tokyo in 1964, where judo was an Olympic sport for the first time when he won the gold medal in the open weight class against Akio Kaminaga. Among his other achievements include world championship titles in 1961 and 1965, and 20 title as European champions in the Open Class 1953, 1954, 1957-1960, 1962-1964 and 1967 as well as in the class over 93 kg in 1962, 1963 and 1964.

He also tried his hand as a wrestler and was able to occupy the sixth place in the weight category 87 kg at the Wrestling World Championships 1958 at the Greco- Roman style.

Since his resignation as an active athlete in 1967 Geesink Judo operated several schools in the Netherlands and in 1987 a member of the Kiel Canal in the Netherlands and the IOC.

Geesink lived until his death in his hometown of Utrecht, in the street named after him in Ondiep district.

He received the Japanese Order of the Sacred Treasure with golden beams ( 3rd or 4th class).

Anton Geesink died on August 27, 2010 in his home at the age of 76 years.

Actor

Anton Geesink was in the 1960s or 1970s as an actor before the camera, although in only two feature films as an actor and a mini-series. His most famous role was that of the biblical judge Samson epic film produced in 1965, Gideon and Samson.

Wrestlers

In the early 1970s came to Geesink after training by Dory Funk Jr. as a wrestler. In addition to performances for All Japan Pro Wrestling, he also appeared in his home country.