|
Scottish judo icon and
British Judo Association President George Kerr will receive the
“Order of the Rising Sun” in January after being named in Emperor
Akihito’s November honours list.
The revered 73-year-old
will be presented with the Japan’s equivalent of a CBE by the
country’s Consul-General in his native Edinburgh.
The distinction recognises
his enormous contribution to judo and relations between Japan
and the UK.
In February, George,
who's known as Mr. Judo, received the sports highest accolade,
the hugely prestigious 10th Dan, to become only the fifth non-Japanese
judoka to hold judo's greatest prize.
His latest honour, Order
of the Rising Sun, Gold Rays with Rosette, has been met with delight
by Masataka Tarahara, Japan’s Consul-General in Scotland.
"I am delighted
that Mr George Kerr has been honoured with the Order of the Rising
Sun, Gold Rays with Rosette.
"He is the most
deserving recipient whose contribution to the promotion of judo
over many decades has been outstanding.
"He has also contributed
enormously to cultural exchange between Japan and Scotland and
done much to increase mutual understanding."
The former European
Champion, Olympic coach and referee is overjoyed to receive the
honour.
"I'm chuffed to
bits, absolutely thrilled,” he said.
"Since I first
went to Japan in the late 1950s, I have grown to love the people,
the country and its culture.
"To be recognised
in this way makes me very proud and very humble. Judo has a wonderful
way of bringing people together and forming bonds that last a
lifetime.
"I am simply grateful
to have been a part of it for so many years and to receive an
award like this is immensely satisfying."
George
Kerr
President
of the British Judo Association
|