Takashi Ono (judoka)

Takashi Ono (小野 卓志, Ono Takashi; born 25 June 1980) is a Japanese judoka and the 2005 Asian Judo Championships gold medalist in the −81 kg category.

Ono is from Ishige, Ibaraki, and has studied Judo alongside Keiji Suzuki since childhood. After graduating from Tsukuba University, he joined Ryotokuji Gakuen, of which Yusuke Kanamaru, Tomoo Torii, and former Asian champion Yuta Yazaki are also members. He won the all Japanese championships from 2008 to 2010 and, although the favorite at the Tokyo 2010 World Championships, was eliminated in the 3rd round by former Olympic champion Ilias Iliadis. Ono is renowned for his uchi mata (inner thigh throw). He is also well known for his Ōuchi gari (大内刈 major inside leg reap). In 2009–2010, Ono was regarded as one of the most exciting judoka in the world. Despite his popularity, he lost his place in the 2012 Olympics; Japan instead chose Masashi Nishiyama for ‍–‍90 kg.