Eichi Karl Koiwai, M.D. (February 21, 1920 – February 23, 2009)[1] was the president of the United States Judo Federation (USJF) in 1973 and 1974[2][3] and the chairman of the United States Olympic Committee in 1973.[2]

Education edit

Koiwai earned his medical degree from Hanhehamm Medical College, specializing in pathology, in 1947.[2][3]

Judo leadership edit

Koiwai was the chairman of the United States Olympic Committee in 1973 and the chairman of the National AAU Judo Committee prior to that.[2] His work contributed to deeper collaboration between the AAU and the USJF.[4] In 1960, he wrote the Official AAU - JBBF Judo Handbook.[5] In 1965, he became the head of the National AAU Judo Committee, replacing Philip S. Porter (who was later a USJA founder).[6] Koiwai commissioned a study on injuries in judo.[7] In 1970, he was listed in Black Belt magazine's hall of fame.[8] He was a referee at the 1976 Montreal Olympics.[9]

For a period, Koiwai was a critic of the United States Judo Association, which he felt did not follow the rules of the federation.[2]

Koiwai died on February 23, 2009.[1] Services were held in Pennsylvania.[10] He was a close friend of judo pioneer Yosh Uchida.[9]

References edit

  1. ^ a b "Archived copy" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2010-01-01. Retrieved 2015-04-04.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  2. ^ a b c d e Murray, Jack (Jun 1973). "'There's too much emphasis on winning trophies!'". Black Belt. 11 (6): 29–30. ISSN 0277-3066.
  3. ^ a b Kirihara, Wayne (May 1974). "Enter the budo doctors". Black Belt. 12 (5): 52–56. ISSN 0277-3066.
  4. ^ Connell, Maurice (June 1967). "An Olympics torch for world judo meet". Black Belt. 5 (6). ISSN 0277-3066.
  5. ^ Koiwai, Eichi; Fujimoto, Hiro. Official A.A.U. - J.B.B.F. Judo Handbook. ASIN B001YE7YKK.
  6. ^ "Nat. AAU judo committee elects new chairman: Dr. E. K. Koiwai replaces Maj. P. S. Porter in top job". Black Belt. 3 (4): 51. April 1965. ISSN 0277-3066.
  7. ^ De Leonardis, Anthony (February 1967). "How dangerous are the martial arts?". Black Belt. 3 (4): 51. ISSN 0277-3066.
  8. ^ "The Black Belt Hall of Fame". Black Belt. 10 (3): 9. February 1967. ISSN 0277-3066.
  9. ^ a b "Dr- Eichi Koiwai Passes Away in Philadelphia". Team USA. Archived from the original on September 24, 2015. Retrieved 9 April 2015.
  10. ^ "Passing of Dr. Eichi Koiwai – Updated 3/2/09 - USJF.COM". usjf.com.