Legends of Judo: Kosei Inoue, Olympic champion and Japanese supercoach

In Japan, where judo is more than just a sport, Kosei Inoue is no ordinary athlete.

Essentially unbeatable between 1999 and 2003, the half-heavyweight judoka won three world titles and Olympic gold, placing him among the greatest of all time.

Now head coach of the Japanese team, the 39-year-old is passing on his secrets to the next generation, proving just as successful off the tatami as he was on it during a stellar 10-year career at the top.

“We look at judo not only as a sport but as a ‘budo,’ or martial way,” Inoue tells CNN.

“There is the competition – we come to a World Championships and aim to win a gold medal – but there is something far bigger behind this.

“By practicing judo every day, it really helps you win in life in general. In judo, you always get thrown and you always have to stand up. It’s very similar to life itself.”

READ: Five things we learned from the judo World Championships

Early years

The first judo school dates back to 1882 in Tokyo. Traditionally a Japanese practice, it has gradually spread across the planet and established itself as one of the world's most popular combat sports.

Literally meaning "gentle way," judo techniques harness an opponent's force to your own advantage by throwing and pinning them to the ground.

Judo was first seen at the Olympics in Tokyo in 1964, and a women's competition was added at the Barcelona Games in 1992.

No judoka has more world championships gold medals than Teddy Riner. In September 2017, the legendary Frenchman won his ninth title, before hitting double figures at an open weight competition in Marrakech.

"It is a sport that demands an irreproachable lifestyle," Riner tells CNN, "a sport that demands rigor."

On the women's side, Ryoko Tani's record stands out. The Japanese Judoka has seven world titles, and upon her retirement was hailed as the "best female judoka ever."

Majlinda Kelmendi tears up after being crowned Kosovo's first ever gold medalist at the Rio Olympics in the women's 52 kg weight category.

At 218 kilos, judoka Ricardo Blas Jr. (seen here on the right competing at London 2012) is the world's heaviest Olympian.

Russian President Vladimir Putin is a judo master, denoted by wearing a black belt.

World Judo Championships: An introduction to the 'gentle way'

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Inoue, like so many others in Japan, took up the sport at a young age, working under the tutelage of his father.

The youngster would train relentlessly every day, only stopping when forced by his teachers.

“I was extremely motivated to do my best throughout my career,” he says. “The meaning of judo is not just to win or lose, but to contribute to the betterment of society and always give back.

“The creator of judo, Jigoro Kano, outlined its two main themes: the development of the self and a contribution to society. When I practice judo, both as an athlete and as a coach, I always keep those in my heart.”

Rarely defeated on the mat, some of Inoue’s biggest challenges have come away from judo.

READ: Ryoko Tani – The greatest ever?

He lost his mother aged just 21, famously clutching a framed photograph of her as he stood atop the podium at Sydney 2000 a year later.

“I wanted to dedicate this win to my mother – this is for her,” the half heavyweight (-100kg) champion said at the time. “To me, she was the best mother in the world and I wanted the world to see her.”

The entire family had shared a dream of Inoue one day winning Olympic gold; the realization of that ambition changed his life overnight.

“The Olympic Games is not just a sporting event; it’s where the world unites,” says Inoue, recalling his now-famous win over Nicholas Gill of Canada in the final.

“When I won at Sydney 2000 I was just 22 years old and still a university student. My life changed forever, but I was young and I felt like my career was just beginning.”

Inoue won every single match at Sydney by ippon – judo’s equivalent to a knockout – and the watching world expected him to dominate for many years to come.

The Japanese judoka didn’t let up, taking home further gold medals at the next two World Championships – held in Munich and Osaka – as well as three consecutive titles in the open weight category at the All Japan Championships, defeating far larger opponents.

But he wasn’t able to maintain his imperious form at the Athens 2004 Olympics, crashing out at the quarterfinal stage to Dutchman Elco van der Geest.