Victor Koga

Victor Shoichi Koga (1935 – November 3, 2018) was a Japanese-Russian martial artist and trainer. He introduced the martial art of sambo in Japan and was one of its main exponents until his death.

Biography Koga was born in Manchuria, to a Japanese father and a Russian mother. After the end of World War II, his family moved to Kyushu, Japan, and the young Victor was sent to live with relatives in Tokyo. There he started his martial career by joining the amateur wrestling club of Nihon University, where he was studying medicine. His wrestling tenure was successful, including distinguished participations in the National Sports Festival of Japan and the All-Japan Wrestling Championship. After graduating, he also trained judo in Riichiro Watanabe's dojo in Yokosuka.