Mitsuyo Maeda
| Mitsuyo Maeda | |
|---|---|
Maeda c. 1910 | |
| Born | November 18, 1878 Funazawa Village, Hirosaki, Aomori, Japan |
| Died | November 28, 1941 (aged 63) Belém, Pará, Brazil Kidney disease |
| Other names | Otávio Maeda |
| Nationality | Brazilian (naturalized) Japanese (expatriate) |
| Height | 164 cm (5 ft 5 in) |
| Style | Judo |
| Teacher(s) | Kano Jigoro Tomita Tsunejirō |
| Rank | 7th dan red and white belt in Judo |
| Other information | |
| Occupation | Judōka and prizefighter |
| Notable students | Carlos Gracie Luiz França |
Mitsuyo Maeda (前田 光世, Maeda Mitsuyo; November 18, 1878 – November 28, 1941) naturalized as Otávio Maeda (Portuguese pronunciation: [oˈtavju maˈedɐ]), was a Japanese-born judōka, catch wrestler, and prizefighter in no holds barred competitions. He was known as Count Combat or Conde Koma in Spanish and Portuguese, a nickname he picked up in Spain in 1908. Along with Antônio Soshihiro Satake, he pioneered judo in Brazil, the United Kingdom, and other countries.
Maeda was fundamental to the development of Brazilian jiu-jitsu, including through his teaching of Carlos Gracie and others of the Gracie family. He was also a promoter of Japanese emigration to Brazil. His accomplishments led to him being called the "toughest man who ever lived" and being referred to as the father of Brazilian Jiu-jitsu.