Rena “Rusty” Kanokogi was a renowned American judo expert.

In 1959, disguised as a man, she won a medal at a YMCA judo tournament, but had to return it after acknowledging that she was a woman.

Travelling to Japan to continue her judo training, Kanokogi became the first woman allowed to train in the men’s group at the Kodokan, the headquarters of the worldwide judo community, in Tokyo.

She is perhaps best known for pioneering women’s judo competition at the Olympic Games.

In 1980, Kanokogi organised the first women’s World Championships in Madison Square Garden’s Felt Forum, which is now known as Hulu Theater.

She sponsored it through the mortgage of her own home and was the driving force behind the introduction of women’s judo as a demonstration event at the Seoul 1988 Olympics.

At Seoul 1988, Kanokogi was coach of the first United States Olympic women’s judo team.

She would coach her personal student Margaret Castro to a bronze medal in the over-72 kilograms division.

In 1991, Kanokogi was inducted into the International Women’s Sports Hall of Fame.

At Athens 2004, Kanokogi was a commentator for NBC’s coverage of judo and in 2008, she was awarded the Order of the Rising Sun, 4th Class, one of Japan’s highest civilian honours.

She died on November 21, 2009, aged 74.