EMILIO "MEL" BRUNO Mel Bruno received his 1st Dan from Jigaro Kano in 1935, and 5th Dan in 1954. He was the first non-asian in America to receive that rank. When he retired in 1963 as a 6th Dan, he was one of only three non-Japanese people in the world to hold this rank at the time. ALFRED RHODE 1896 - 1978 GM Rhode was the first German who received a Black Belt in Judo, as well the first European who was promoted to 8th Dan by the Kodokan. ERICH RAHN 1885 - 1973 In 1906 he was the first Judo student in Germany. He started to learn from a Japanese Marine, who was a student of Judo founder Kano. GM Rahn is known as the father of Judo in Germany O'SENSEI PHILIP S. PORTER 1925 – 2011 GM Porter had a very varied, and comprehensive career of achievement in Judo. He was the only person who has refereed the finals in the world championships, and fought in the world masters championships as well. He studied, refereed, taught, and competed for over 65 years. O-Sensei started Judo, JuJitsu, and Karate training in 1951 while serving on a Strategic Air Command (SAC) combat crew at Travis Air Force Base, California. His first teacher was Sensei Walter Todd, 2nd Degree in Judo and the first American to be awarded a black belt in Shotokan Karate. Close Ad Sponsored by