top of page

Rusty Kanokogi, Get Up & Fight

Rusty & her mother

Rusty & her mother

Rusty grew up in Coney Island, Brooklyn and her shenanigans, life lessons are detailed in a full section of her Memoir, Get Up & Fight

Rusty Training

Rusty Training

Fall down 7 times, Get UP 8 ~ Rusty embraced the Japanese proverb and displayed this concept of resilience throughout her life & continued to teach the "Nana Korobi ya oki".

Rusty's flight to Japan

Rusty's flight to Japan

Rusty cherished her first trip to Japan and became the first woman to train on the male side of the Mecca of Judo, the Kodokan

Rusty traveled the world

Rusty traveled the world

As Kym Hampton said, "Rusty knew her purpose". Rusty traveled the world to promote the inclusion of Women in Judo.

Rusty in her Kimono

Rusty in her Kimono

Get Up & Fight chronicles many stories of her adventure. You will appreciate her challenges, laugh with her, and gain respect for her character development.

Ryohei and Rusty Kanokogi

Ryohei and Rusty Kanokogi

Get Up & Fight also includes this wonderful love story, of Ryohei choosing the USA to teach judo to find Rusty.

Rusty glows with pregnancy

Rusty glows with pregnancy

The date stamped on this photo determines Rusty was carrying her future only daughter, Jean & she glows with happiness.

Family photo Hawaii

Family photo Hawaii

Ryohei is a natural father, sweet & gentle. He is a constant presence in Jean's life we often refer to him as a living Saint.

Jean & Rusty

Jean & Rusty

Rusty dresses with dynamics which speaks to her vibrant personality. You will feel this throughout her memoir.

Mother Daughter Bond

Mother Daughter Bond

Rusty was her mother, coach, mentor and best friend. Often when she was on the tatami she could distinctly hear Rusty's voice, "Get Up & Fight!"

Original gold medal 1WWJC

Original gold medal 1WWJC

Rusty held the First Women's World Judo Championships in Madison Square Garden in Nov. 1980 detailed in her Memoir. Please note the image is also our Project Rusty logo as well as the 1WWJC.

Nathan's Hotdogs

Nathan's Hotdogs

One of Jean & Rusty's favorite past times.

Rusty at the 1988 Olympics

Rusty at the 1988 Olympics

Rusty on the tatami! Photo credit: David Finch

Eve & Rusty

Eve & Rusty

Opening ceremony 1988 summer olympics, Seoul, Korea.

Rusty's Gold Medal

Rusty's Gold Medal

Rusty enjoying her moment knowing she successfully got Women's judo in the Olympics.

Jean in Rusty's judo gi

Jean in Rusty's judo gi

Jean honoring her mother by wearing her 1988 Olympic judo gi for a photo shoot. Photo credit: Carrie Lloyd

Rusty IJF Induction

Rusty IJF Induction

Rusty Kanokogi's induction into the International Judo Federation hall of fame, posthumously. She is the first American woman to be inducted.

Rusty got her Way!

Rusty got her Way!

Corner of West 17th street & Surf Avenue in Coney Island is co-named after Rusty.

bottom of page