Yukinori Sasa
Yukinori Sasa became the first Japanese Mundial champion by winning at brown belt in 2005, and later made guard-focused instructional material.
Biography
Sources for this profile
Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu News Blog, “【訃報】佐々幸範、死去,” 6 January 2020.(opens in a new tab)
Yukinori Sasa had died by 6 January 2020.
Where in the source: 【訃報】佐々幸範、死去 — 佐々幸範…がお亡くなりになりました
Accessed:
The Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu News Blog reports that Sasa was promoted to black belt after his 2005 Mundial win and placed third at the 2013 Mundial in the light-featherweight division.
Where in the source: その直後に黒帯昇格し、2013年…３位入賞
Accessed:
Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu News Blog, “【Back to past】2005年のムンジアル,” 11 April 2020.(opens in a new tab)
In 2005, Sasa won the Mundial brown-belt featherweight final against Naoya Uematsu, becoming the first Japanese Mundial champion.
Where in the source: 【Back to past】2005年のムンジアル — 茶帯フェザー…佐々幸範と植松直哉
Accessed:
Budovideos, “Paraestra Jiu-jitsu Book & DVD #1 by Yukinori Sasa (Preowned),” accessed 9 September 2026.(opens in a new tab)
A Japanese-language 95-page book and DVD sold under Sasa’s name presents guard sweeps and submissions.
Where in the source: Paraestra Jiu-jitsu Book & DVD #1 by Yukinori Sasa — sweeps and submissions from the guard position
Accessed:
Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu News Blog, “ムンジアル２０１０：直前インタビュー・佐々幸範,” 21 May 2010.(opens in a new tab)
In a 2010 pre-Mundial interview, Sasa described training daily and adding swimming before sparring to prepare for fatigue.
Where in the source: ムンジアル２０１０：直前インタビュー・佐々幸範 — 毎日練習していますので
Accessed: