Rena Kanokogi

Rena "Rusty" Kanokogi was an American judoka and coach. In 1959, she won a medal at a YMCA judo tournament while disguised as a man, but had to return it after acknowledging that she was a woman. Traveling to Japan to continue her judo training, Kanokogi became the first woman allowed to train in the men's group at the Kodokan. She is perhaps best known for pioneering women's judo competition at the Olympic Games. Kanokogi is often referred to as "The Mother of Women's Judo".