Yoshihiro “Yosh” Uchida is seen in a photo shared April 1 by San Jose State University. While a student at the school in 1940, he became SJSU’s first judo coach, and resumed the position in 1946 after he returned from four years in the U.S. Army during World War II.
SAN JOSE — Yoshihiro “Yosh” Uchida, a pioneer of judo in the U.S. who coached at San Jose State University for more than 75 years, died Thursday, the university said. He was 104.
SJSU President Dr. Cynthia Teniente-Matson’s message is among many that have been shared in the wake of Uchida’a passing.
Today we mourn the loss of Yoshihiro “Yosh” Uchida, a beloved Spartan who passed away on Thursday at the age of 104.
Yosh, as many affectionately called him, earned his bachelor’s degree in biological sciences in 1947 and an honorary doctorate in 2004 from SJSU, and is one of the most renowned and accomplished Spartans in the history of the university.
Born on April 1, 1920, in Calexico, Calif., Yosh was named San José State’s first judo coach in 1940, when he enrolled as a student, and again in 1946 after he returned from four years in the U.S. Army during World War II. In 1964, he coached the U.S. judo team at the Tokyo Olympics, the first time judo appeared in an Olympics.
He remained the coach of SJSU’s judo program for the rest of his life and in 2023 was honored for 75 years of service to the university. Overall, Yosh coached the Spartans to more than 40 collegiate titles and trained nearly two dozen Olympians, including four medalists. His judo prestige extended beyond San José State — Yosh served as president of U.S. Judo, the United States Judo Federation, and National Collegiate Judo Association.
His incredible impact extended outside of judo. Yosh owned medical testing laboratories in the San Jose area, and became a driving force in investing more than $80 million into housing and commercial businesses to revitalize San Jose’s Japantown. He also founded the Japanese American Chamber of Silicon Valley in 1996.
In a 2010 interview with the Pacific Citizen,Yosh said, “We are on this earth for a short period of time and we want to leave a better world for future generations.”
Among the many other distinctions and awards Yosh received throughout his life, a few of the most notable are:
? The Order of the Sacred Treasure, Golden Rays by Emperor Hirohito of Japan
? The building on campus now known as Uchida Hall, which houses the training facility for the SJSU judo team, was dedicated to Yosh in 1997
? San José State University Sports Hall of Fame in 1996, and “legend” status in the Hall of Fame in 2012
? San José State University Tower Award, the university’s highest award, in 1992
? Appointed to the U.S. President’s Council on Physical Fitness in 1970
We are incredibly proud and thankful for the impact Yosh not only made on our university, but our nation and the world. Our thoughts and prayers are with the Uchida family and the many friends, athletes and Spartans who knew Yosh.
Several Spartans shared their thoughts on Uchida’s passing:
– Two-time Olympian and 1984 Olympic silver medalist Bobby Berland, ’84 Marketing: “He was my coach at San José State and he helped shape me as an athlete, as a student and as a person. I learned so many important life lessons from him during a very impressionable time in my life. Those lessons continue to serve me well to this day.
“He has been a continuing source of inspiration not just to me but for so many others. His impact is deep and broad and his legacy will continue to inspire others for years to come.
“I will forever be grateful for having had the privilege to call Yosh Uchida my coach, my mentor, my friend and my family.
“Coach, may you rest in peace. After 104 years you’ve earned it!”
— Two-time Olympian Colton Brown, ’15 Business Administration: “Mr. Uchida was an incredible man. I’ve never met anyone that positively impacted as many lives as him in a lifetime. When I first came to SJSU, Mr. Uchida told me that he didn’t care how good I was at judo. That came as a surprise to me, because every other coach that recruited me only cared about how good I was at judo. Mr. Uchida told me that getting a good education and learning how to communicate with people was far more important than anything I could ever achieve on the judo mat.
“Although I listened and followed his advice, I didn’t realize how important those words were until my judo career was over. I was able to use the education I got at SJSU as well as the lessons Mr. Uchida taught me on the mats to now positively impact more lives through judo than I ever thought was possible. I am so happy that I could not only call Mr. Uchida a coach, but also a great mentor, and a friend. Congratulations on all you’ve accomplished in this life. RIP
– Member of the 1964 U.S. Olympic Judo Team Paul Maruyama, ’66 Business: “Yosh led a spectacularly long, substantive and inspirational life. His love for, and impact on, his family, we individual athletes whom he coached, his beloved SJSU, United States Judo, the Japanese American community and our nation are without parallel. Yosh, along with my father, is one of my two personal heroes.
“Saddened as I am by his passing, I can only rely for comfort on a quote from the American Cemetery in Normandy, ‘Think Not Only Upon Their Passing; Remember the Glory of Their Spirit.’”
From right: Yosh Uchida with Japanese Ambassador to the U.S. Ryozo Kato and Sen. Daniel Inouye of Hawaii at a conference of Japanese and Japanese American leaders held in San Francisco in November 2005.
– Four-time Olympian and 1988 Olympic bronze medalist Mike Swain, ’85 Business Marketing: “Coach Uchida was a great teacher of life. He inspired so many SJSU students through his championship judo program to not only graduate but give back and contribute to society, he was one of a kind and impossible to replace, but we will do our best to keep the judo program at SJSU fighting on with his indomitable judo spirit.
“My sincere condolences go out to the Uchida family in this great loss.”
Other reactions that have been posted on social media:
U.S. Judo Federation:“It is with a heavy heart that we say goodbye to Sensei Yosh Uchida, a true legend in the world of judo. His dedication, passion, and unwavering commitment to the art have left an incredible mark on all who had the honor of knowing him. Sensei Uchida’s legacy will continue to inspire and guide future generations. Rest in peace, Sensei. Your teachings and spirit will forever be with us.”
Consulate General of Japan in San Francisco:“We were incredibly saddened to hear about the passing of Mr. Yoshihiro ‘Yosh’ Uchida at the age of 104 on Thursday.
“Among his many accomplishments in his long life, he was at the forefront of the promotion of judo in the United States, serving as USA Judo coach for the U.S. National Team at the sport’s debut in the 1964 Tokyo Olympics. More locally, he has been at the fore of SJSU Judo team for over 70 years, coaching a number of Olympians, and a leader in San Jose Japantown.
“Our deepest condolences go to Yosh’s family and the judo, San Jose State University, and San Jose Japantown communities on the passing of this legend.”
Robert Handa, NBC Bay Area:“So sad to join the community mourning friend Yosh Uchida, who passed away at age of 104. A community icon supporting all things J-Town and countless AAPI causes. The longtime USA Olympics judo coach who made SJSU program a national power. Will miss his cheerful, optimistic and inspiring presence.”
Mike Inouye, NBC Bay Area:“Yoshihiro Uchida has lived many lives, making a name for himself, his family, multiple successful businesses, bringing judo to the world stage, bringing SJSU to that same stage, fighting for our country despite oppression from our country … He continued to give (generously) to the Japanese American and judo communities with his work throughout his 104 years…
“Please take a moment to remember this SJSU and S.J. Japantown legend who left this physical world Thursday. His impact lives on.”
Rep. Ro Khanna:“Rest in peace to Yosh Uchida, who had an immeasurable impact in multiple arenas and touched so many lives. A legendary name in judo, San Jose Japantown, and in the AAPI community, he will always be remembered for his dedication to his sport and his students. Thank you, Yosh.”
Santa Clara County Supervisor Cindy Chavez:“RIP to the legendary San Jose State University judo coach Yoshihiro Uchida, who died at 104 years old. What a tremendous influence he had on students after creating the SJSU judo program! So many Olympic medalists and judo champions were developed under his great guidance and training.”
San Jose State University Alumni Association:“Yosh was a true pillar of the San José community. His passion for judo drove him to strengthen the incredible program at San José State and advocate for the sport on a global level. Yosh’s legacy will live on through the judo program he led to recognition and the campus building adorned with his name. We are honored to have had Coach Uchida in the Spartan family and thank him for his contributions to our university and community.”
Sam Liccardo, former San Jose mayor:“Few have lived a fuller, more honorable life than Yosh Uchida, who left us after 104 extraordinary years. So many of us — from Olympic judo champions to San Jose mayors — benefitted from his passion for grooming and teaching future generations, and we all admired his indefatigable will. During WWII, the U.S. government sent him off to the U.S. Army, while confining his family members to an internment camp, yet Yosh somehow managed to represent only the very best of the American Dream.”
Confederación Panamericana de Judo:“On behalf of the Panamerican Judo Confederation and the judo community of Pan-America, we express our condolences for the passing of Yoshihiro ‘Yosh’ Uchida, a pioneer of judo in the United States. Born on April 1, 1920, Uchida … became an emblematic figure in the sport and education. For over six decades, Uchida was the head judo coach at San José State University, where he transformed the program into a national and international powerhouse.
“His achievements are countless: he obtained the prestigious 10th dan in judo, played a key role in introducing weight categories in international competitions, and led the U.S. team in the 1964 Tokyo Olympics, marking a milestone for judo in his country.
“Besides his sporting legacy, Uchida was a successful businessman and philanthropist, contributing to the economic and cultural development of his community, especially in Japantown, San José.
“We honor his memory not just for his medals and titles, but for his tireless dedication to making judo not just a sport, but a tool for education and unity. With deep respect and gratitude, we bid farewell to a true master and mentor whose impact will endure for generations to come. Our thoughts are with his family, loved ones, and all those who were inspired by his example.”
K’s In-Home Care Solutions LLC:“We extend our deepest gratitude to Mr. Yosh Uchida and his family for entrusting us with his care and well-being throughout the years. It has been an honor and privilege to be a part of his journey and to witness first-hand the remarkable legacy he has left behind in the judo community in San Jose.
“Mr. Yosh’s resilience, wisdom, and gentle spirit have touched us in ways we will never forget. His dedication to judo and his unwavering commitment to spreading its values have left a lasting impact on all those around him. It has been a true joy to be by his side, learning from his experiences, and cherishing the moments we shared together.
“We are grateful for the trust and confidence that Mr. Yosh and his family placed in us, allowing us to be a part of his life and care for him with respect and compassion. The memories we have created together will be treasured always, serving as a reminder of the incredible person he was and the legacy he has left behind.
“Thank you, Grandpa Yosh, for enriching our lives with your presence and for inspiring us with your indomitable spirit. And to his family, thank you for allowing us to be a part of his journey and for sharing him with us. Your support have meant the world to us, and we are forever grateful for the opportunity to care for Grandpa Yosh.
“Grandpa you will be forever in our hearts! We love you!”