Newspaper articles of judo injuries resulting in death: 1984 – 2010 [22]
First year high school student dies due to judo injury during training; after complaining of a headache
The Chunichi Shimbun
June 30, 1996
Takeshi Kitagawa (15), a first year high school student of Ohmi High School in Hikone, Shiga Prefecture, died of cerebral hemorrhage in hospital after he collapsed and lost consciousness during a school judo practice. He fell unconscious after he was thrown. The physician who treated him indicated that the likely cause of death was head trauma as a result of being thrown. Hikone Police will interview students and teachers during the investigation into the cause of death.
The police investigation indicated that Takeshi was thrown 4 or 5 times by other members of the judo club during the practice of ukemi (break fall) at the school dojo at around 4:00 pm on June 12. Takashi then told the teacher, Mr. Hanaki, that he had a headache. The teacher, Mr. Hanaki, inquired as to if he was able to continue or not, and Takashi indicated that he could. After being thrown two more times, his head lolled forward and he collapsed to the floor. Mr. Hanaki explained he let him continue practice since he indicated he could.
Takeshi had an emergency operation at the hospital but he died of cerebral hemorrhage on June 24, 4:45 pm.
Vice-principal Tsuneki said that from now on they would ensure sports club teachers always take into consideration the physical condition of participants.
Takeshi’s father stated, “The school has apologized, but I want them to admit responsibility of what has happened at their school.
