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Toshihiko Koga, a judo legend and Olympic gold medalist, has died at age 53.
According to TMZ Sports, Koga, who was a three-time Olympian and gold medal winner in the 1992 Barcelona Olympics, passed away on Wednesday after a battle with cancer over the past year.
“He was so young, and the news of his death is such a shame,” Japanese politician Katsunobu Kato said in a news conference.
“I express my deepest condolences.”
Koga competed for the Japanese national team at the 1988 Seoul Olympics, 1992 Summer Games in Barcelona, and 1996 Atlanta Games. During his Olympic career, Koga earned two medals — gold in Barcelona and silver in Atlanta.
After retiring in 2000, Koga became a coach where he led the Japanese women’s judo team. One of his students, Ayumi Tanimoto, went on to win the gold medal at the 2004 Summer Olympics in Athens, Greece.
Our thoughts are with Koga’s family and friends during this incredibly difficult and tragic time.
