(Photo Dai Yoshioka in blue Gi vs Joao Miyao at the 2014 Europeans)
Dai Yoshioka, a Japanese world class BJJ black belt competitor has taken his own life. Yoshioka was unique in the fact that he competed at the highest level of BJJ (bronze in 2006 Worlds and silver in 2008 Worlds at black belt) and at the same time was working full time as a doctor.
Yoshioka impressed BJJ fans with his amazing, impassable guard and high technical level while using very little strength.
According to various sources in Japan, Yoshioka suffered from depression.
Dai Yoshioka vs Samuel Braga, at the Worlds 2007 finals
From Dai Yoshioka’s friend BudoJake:
Dai Yoshioka was an amazing jiujitsu competitor. I was always so impressed with his calm demeanor competing at a high level in BJJ. In a sport where most of the top guys train full time, Dai only did it part time as a he was a physician as well. I hope to one day have an open guard as awesome as Dr Yoshioka’s. RIP. ??
From Dai Yoshioka’s BJJ instructor Enson Inoue. Yoshioka was Inoue’s first ever black belt:
Here is one of Dai Yoshika’s best matches with a crazy submission at the end. From the 2007 Pan Ams Championship
Dani Yoshioka vs Renato Teixeria:
Yoshioka was part of the list of most educated Grapplers:
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