Lost Pictures 

of

 George Mehdi

　By Robert Drysdale

April 28, 2021

In October 1965 (Oct. 14-17) the World Judo Championship (世界柔道選手権大会) was held in Rio de Janeiro. George Mehdi, also known as Mehdi Kastriget, obviously would have had a keen interest. In fact he represented Brazil as a heavyweight (80 kg).[1] During and after he posed for pictures with some of the competitors and other team members. They included:

Okano Isao　岡野功

Inokuma Isao　猪熊功

Minatoya Hiroshi　湊谷弘

Matsunaga Mitsuo　松永満雄

Yamanaka Kenichi 山中圏一

Sakaguchi Sejii 坂口征二

Matsuda Hirofumi 松田博文

Matsumoto-Kantoku (松本監督,　Director Matsumoto）

Sone Kōji  曽根康治 (coach)

Kim Eui-Tae 김의태, 金義泰　(South Korea)

Anton Geesink　（Holland)

Doug Rogers　（Canada)

Plus one unidentified South Korean team member, possibly but probably not 朴吉淳, 박길순, Pak Kil-Soon (based on his size).

In January 1966 Mehdi went to Japan where he trained with some of the Japanese competitors, other Japanese, and some foreigners who were there doing the same thing he was doing. He also met Masahiko Kimura. He returned to Brazil in July. Later he taught a large number of jiu-jitsu representatives including some members of the famous Gracie family.