Kosei Inoue

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Kosei Inoue (井上康生, Inoue Kosei) is a world-class Judo athlete from Japan. He won the gold medal in the under 100 kg class at the 2000 Summer Olympics. Born on May 15, 1978 in Miyakonojo Miyazaki, Japan. This under 100 kg fighter is well known for his specialty throws: Uchi Mata (inner thigh throw) and Ouchi Gari (major inner reap).

He is widely considered by the Judo community as one of best competitive Judokas. His notable accomplishments include three golds at the World Championship and All Japan Championship (one of four Judokas who has accomplished this).

In 2004 Athens Olympics, Kosei Inoue was chosen as the captain of the Japanese team. He was highly favored to win another gold in the u100 kg division. However, he suffered a major upset and took 5th place. Elco van der Geest of the Netherlands (2002 European Champion) defeated Inoue at the last minute with a drop seio nage (shoulder throw) in the quarter final. Movlud Miraliyev of Azerbaijan countered Inoue's o-uchi gari with a ura nage to win the match during Repechage Round 3.

In 2005 he won the gold at the Jigoro Kano International Cup, which is a A level contest with many former world and Olympic medalists. Currently he is studying for a Ph.D in Psychology at Tokai University.