Brooklyn Woman Judo Master Dies at 74 -- Won Gold Disguised As a Man

Rena "Rusty" Kanokogi, known as the "Mother of Judo" for her role in bringing women's judo to the Olympic Games died at the age of 74.

Back in the bad old 1950's, she competed against men, disguised as a man. But when she was found out, she was forced to give back a gold medal in the YMCA Statewide Judo Championship. (The Prospect Park Y gave her the medal back just this past August.)

Borough President Marty Markowitz called her "a true Brooklyn character in the best sense of the word." Read more about Rusty at the Brooklyn Eagle.

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