Georges Mehdi

Kastriot "Georges" Mehdi (1934 in Cannes, France – November 6, 2018 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil)[2] was a Brazilian judoka of French ascendance, considered one of the most prominent practitioners of judo in Brazil[3] and the nation's top judo instructor.[4]

Georges Mehdi
Born(1934-01-01)January 1, 1934
Cannes, France
DiedNovember 6, 2018(2018-11-06) (aged 84)
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Other namesKastriget Mehdi, Robert Mehdi
StyleJudo
Teacher(s)Yasuichi Matsumoto
Rank  9th degree red belt in Judo Kodokan certified
Notable studentsWallid Ismail, Rickson Gracie[1]

Biography

Born in Cannes, France, George originally came to Brazil on a vacation in 1949 and did not return.[5][6] A trained judoka, he went to the jiu-jitsu school of Carlos Gracie, but left it after some time due to differences with the Gracie family. They taught very little throwing claiming that it was less useful than groundfighting, while Mehdi believed that they did so because they did not know how to throw.[5] He also was uncomfortable with which he perceived as lack of honesty by the family, as they had been publicizing him as a French judo champion despite he was just a beginner. He then traveled to Japan to train in the Kodokan school in 1952.[5]

Learning under all Japan champion and Kyuzo Mifune trainee Yasuichi Matsumoto, Mehdi trained for five years at the Tenri University in Nara, meeting names like world middleweight champion Isao Okano and the great Masahiko Kimura.[7] He actually had already met Matsumoto in Brazil, where Yasuichi had seen him do judo while on a tour of the world. He provided Mehdi with tuition room and board and spending money for 5 years. Additionally Mehdi trained at the Kodokan and Chuo University.[7] The training in Japan only lasted 6 months as George went to attend his sick mother.[7] Georges spent a total of 10 years in Japan and taught Judo in a high school in Japan, probably the first non Japanese to do so. When he passed away Mehdi was a 9th dan in Judo.[8]

Mehdi once said "judo is for intelligent people", and regards the Gracie family as "liars" for claiming Brazilian jiu-jitsu is a separate art from judo.[5] Judo champion Okano said of Mehdi that "if you took all the knowledge of all the instructors in this hall [the Olympics], it would not equal the knowledge of Sensei Mehdi".[7]

Competition career

Mehdi was referred to as the best judoka in Brazil, whom the Gracie family refused to face in judo competition.[9] This was after the loss of George Gracie to Euclydes Hatem fearing that it might have a bad effect on their growing reputation.[10] He was the Brazilian champ for seven years straight.[11][12] He competed in the 5th world championships.[7] At the age of 32 he was already a 4th dan in Judo.[13] He received a silver medal and a bronze medal in the Pan American games in 1963 and 1967 respectively.[14]

Mehdi was a witness to the Masahiko Kimura vs. Hélio Gracie fight and Helio's subsequent hospitalization,[15] He stated that, unlike what the Gracie side claimed, Kimura was no giant, but about 5'6 and 185 lbs.[16] Additionally he believed the fight was worked or choreographed to a point, with Kimura intentionally allowing Hélio to fight for minutes before finishing him.[5]

Teaching career

He trained numerous individuals including Henrique Machado.[3] George's students included Mario Sperry, Rickson Gracie, and Sylvio Behring.[6]

He was fluent in French, English, Japanese, and Portuguese.[7]

Death

Sensei Mehdi died November 6, 2018 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, aged 84.

References
  1. Simco, Gene (2005). No Rules Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. ISBN 9780806526966.
  2. Black Belt. March 1969.
  3. BJJ Heroes. "Henrique Machado". BJJ Heroes: the jiu jitsu encyclopedia.
  4. Snowden, Jonathan (15 December 2010). Total Mma. ISBN 9781554903375.
  5. "Mehdi".
  6. Simco, G. (2005). Brazilian Jiu-jitsu Basics: Mastering The Essential Techniques. Kensington Publishing Corporation. ISBN 9780806526638.
  7. "Black Belt". Black Belt. Buyer's Guide. Active Interest Media, Inc. February 1974. ISSN 0277-3066.
  8. Guillobel Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. "San Clemente Jiu-Jitsu Reveals to You More About Our Black Belt's Stories - Guillobel BJJ Martial Arts & Self-Defense San Clemente - Top Brazilian Jiu Jitsu School in San Clemente, CA". Guillobel BJJ Martial Arts & Self-Defense San Clemente - Top Brazilian Jiu Jitsu School in San Clemente, CA.
  9. Snowden, Jonathan; Shields, Kendall (November 2010). The MMA Encyclopedia. ISBN 9781554908448.
  10. Snowden, J.; Shields, K. (2010). The MMA Encyclopedia. ECW Press. ISBN 9781554908448.
  11. "Kastriget Mehdi, Judoka, JudoInside".
  12. Black Belt. March 1969.
  13. Black Belt. December 1967.
  14. "www.judobrasil.net". Archived from the original on 2014-12-22. Retrieved 2014-08-17.
  15. Murray, N.B.J. The Toughest Man Who Ever Lived. Jukken Judo. ISBN 9780964898424.
  16. Snowden, J. (2008). Total Mma: Inside Ultimate Fighting. ECW Press. ISBN 9781554903375.
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