Masahiko Kimura was a renowned Japanese judoka and martial artist, born on September 8, 1917. He is best known for his exceptional skills in judo, where he achieved the rank of 10th dan, the highest possible rank. Kimura gained international fame for his victory over Hélio Gracie in 1951, which solidified his reputation as one of the greatest judokas in history. In addition to his judo accomplishments, Kimura was influential in the development of mixed martial arts (MMA) and contributed to the popularization of judo worldwide. He passed away on April 18, 1993, leaving behind a legacy that continues to inspire martial artists today.