Shohei Ono

Shohei Ono, born on February 3, 1992, in Yamaguchi, Japan, is a highly acclaimed judoka recognized for his dominant technical style. He has consistently competed in the -73 kg weight class, achieving significant international success. Ono commenced his senior career with notable victories, including winning the Grand Slam Tokyo in 2012, where he showcased his signature ippon-based fighting. This early success set the stage for a distinguished career marked by numerous gold medals in major judo competitions.

Throughout his career, Ono has demonstrated exceptional skill and consistency. He secured his first World Championship title in 2013 in Rio de Janeiro, following it with another in 2015 in Astana. His career culminated in two Olympic gold medals, first at the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Games and then a second at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. Ono is particularly known for his classical judo techniques, such as osoto gari and uchimata, and maintains one of the highest ippon rates in judo. He retired from competitive judo in December 2022 to pursue coaching.

Beyond his individual achievements, Ono was also a valuable member of the Japanese national team, contributing to multiple World Championship team gold medals. His distinctive and powerful style, often referred to as the “Ono style of judo,” has made him a widely recognized figure in the sport globally. He now shares his extensive knowledge and experience through masterclasses and seminars, aiming to inspire and educate future generations of judo practitioners in Europe.