Kōsei Inoue

Japanese judoka (born 1978)

Kosei Inoue (井上 康生 ) is a Japanese judoka. He won the gold medal in the under 100 kg class at the 2000 Summer Olympics. He is well known for his specialty throws, Uchi Mata (内股, inner thigh throw) and Ōuchi gari (大内刈, major inner reap). He is considered by the Judo community as one of the best competitive judoka. His notable accomplishments include three golds at the World Championships and All Japan Championships (one of four Judokas who have accomplished this). His older brother, Tomokazu Inoue is also judoka and former Asian champion. He is affiliated with Sohgo Security Services (Alsok), a security firm.

Inoue married Japanese actress and television personality Aki Higashihara on January 14, 2008. After announcing his retirement from competitive judo, Inoue was selected by the Japan Olympic Committee to travel to the UK in order to learn English. After living in Edinburgh, Scotland (and training with the Scottish based GB team members) for 6 months he moved to London to teach at the Budokwai for 12 months before returning to Japan as the Men's Heavyweight coach for the National team. Following Japan's least successful Olympics for Judo at the London 2012 Olympic Games, it was announced that Inoue would succeed Shinichi Shinohara as the new head coach of the national team.

Year Date Tournament Place Weight class 1995 12.22 Kodokan Cup loss Heavyweight (+95 kg) 1996 4.29 All Japan Championships Round of 32 12.22 Kodokan Cup 5th Heavyweight (+95 kg) 1997 2.16 Wien World Cup 1st Heavyweight (+95 kg) 4.6 All Japan Weight Class Championships 3rd Heavyweight (+95 kg) 4.29 All Japan Championships Round of 8 12.6 Kodokan Cup 1st Half Heavyweight ( 100 kg) 1998 2.7 Paris Super World Cup 2nd Half Heavyweight ( 100 kg) 4.5 All Japan Weight Class Championships 2nd Half Heavyweight ( 100 kg) 4.29 All Japan Championships 2nd 12.10 Asian Games 1st Half Heavyweight ( 100 kg) 1999 1.10 Jigoro Kano Cup 3rd Half Heavyweight ( 100 kg) 3.1 Hamburg Super World Cup 1st Half Heavyweight ( 100 kg) 3.7 Budapest World Cup 3rd Half Heavyweight ( 100 kg) 4.4 All Japan Weight Class Championships 3rd Half Heavyweight ( 100 kg) 4.29 All Japan Championships Round of 8 10.7 World Championships 1st Half Heavyweight ( 100 kg) 2000 2.13 Paris Super World Cup 1st Half Heavyweight ( 100 kg) 4.2 All Japan Weight Class Championships 1st Half Heavyweight ( 100 kg) 4.29 All Japan Championships 2nd 9.21 Olympic Games 1st Half Heavyweight ( 100 kg) 2001 3.3 Budapest World Cup 1st Half Heavyweight ( 100 kg) 4.1 All Japan Weight Class Championships 1st Half Heavyweight ( 100 kg) 4.29 All Japan Championships 1st 7.28 World Championships 1st Half Heavyweight ( 100 kg) 2002 10.3 Asian Games 1st Half Heavyweight ( 100 kg) 4.29 All Japan Championships 1st 2003 2.23 Hamburg Super World Cup 1st Half Heavyweight ( 100 kg) 4.6 All Japan Weight Class Championships 2nd Half Heavyweight ( 100 kg) 4.29 All Japan Championships 1st 9.11 World Championships 1st Half Heavyweight ( 100 kg) 2004 4.4 All Japan Weight Class Championships 1st Half Heavyweight ( 100 kg) 4.29 All Japan Championships 2nd 8.19 Olympic Games Round of 8 Half Heavyweight ( 100 kg) 2005 1.9 Jigoro Kano Cup 1st Openweight 2006 11.19 Kodokan Cup 1st Heavyweight (+100 kg) 2007 2.11 Paris Super World Cup 1st Heavyweight (+100 kg) 4.8 All Japan Weight Class Championships 3rd Heavyweight (+100 kg) 4.29 All Japan Championships 3rd 9.14 World Championships 5th Heavyweight (+100 kg) 12.9 Jigoro Kano Cup 2nd Heavyweight (+100 kg) 2008 2.11 Paris Super World Cup 5th Heavyweight (+100 kg) 4.6 All Japan Weight Class Championships 1st Heavyweight (+100 kg) 4.29 All Japan Championships Round of 8