Maki Tsukada Set to Make History as Japan’s First Female Head Coach of Women’s Judo Team

Maki Tsukada, a 42-year-old gold medalist in the over 78 kg category at the 2004 Athens Olympics, is set to take up the post of head coach of the Japanese women’s judo team. If approved by the All Japan Judo Federation’s board of directors on October 9th, she will become the first female head coach in history to lead the Japanese national team.

A native of Ibaraki Prefecture, Tsukada made history by becoming the first Japanese woman to win the top heavyweight division at the Athens Olympics in 2004. After retiring in 2010, she went on to serve as head coach at Tokyo Women’s University and her alma mater, Tokai University. With her wealth of experience and expertise, she has been entrusted with rebuilding the Japanese women’s national team, which only managed to win two medals at the Paris Olympics, the lowest number in its history.

Keiji Suzuki, the men’s head coach, is expected to continue in his position, while Toshihiko Yamada, general manager of SBC Shonan Beauty Clinic, will take over as head of the new training committee. Tsukada’s appointment marks a significant milestone in the history of Japanese women’s judo, and her leadership is expected to bring a fresh perspective to the team.