, Volume , Issue 1

Memories of "Papa Judo": Austrian Brigadier i.R Josef Herzog (1928-2016)

Abstract

Josef Herzog was born in 17 August 1928 in Groß Reichenbach in Lower Austria. After his training as a commercial employee, he graduated from the police school in Vienna and was a member of the Vienna Security Guard from 1947 to 1956. Since 1948 he was a member of the Austrian Judo National Team, longtime president of the Judolandesverband Wien (1963-1964 and 1976 to 1995) and member of the State Sports Committee of Vienna.

Josef Herzog was a great judo enthusiast and he propagated this fantastic idea of Jigoro Kano in all possible ways. He founded one of the biggest judo schools in Austria with several branches. He organized methodical and scientific workshops, among others, judo summer schools (Judosommerschule) with the participation of international experts. Herzog actively participated in scientific conferences. He was the founder and editor-in-chief of the Judo News monthly. From 1975 to 1991 he was President of the Judo Sports Commission in the Conseil International du Sport Militaire (CISM) and from 1989 to 1991 President of the Austrian Judo Association. He was the bearer of the 8th dan, the highest grade in Austria.

Herzog was also an outstanding expert in self-defence and hand-to-hand fighting. He spend several official courses in the United States Army John F. Kennedy Special Warfare Center and School and a close combat training at the hunting commando and a judo training at the army.

In the sports and military community the warmth of "Papa Judo" was expressed about him. “Papa Judo” in his long active and decent life was able to combine three great ideas: jita-kyoei; judo in mind; friendship through sport. The funeral took place on 29 June 2016 at 2:00 pm at the Waldfriedhof Purkersdorf in Viena. The international judo family will keep Josef Herzog in lasting memory!