USA Judo Events

(Tokyo, Japan) – After five days of fighting competitors from 111 countries at the largest World Championships in the history of judo, one thing was certain – Team USA had gained the respect of the rest of the world.

“I’m extremely proud of our team.  This is probably the most successful World Championships USA Judo has had since 1993.  We had multiple athletes who won multiple matches and showed that they were competitive at the world level,” said Head Coach Jimmy Pedro (Methuen, Mass.) 

(Tokyo, Japan) – Nick Kossor (Glenville, N.Y. / NYAC / USA Judo National Training Site at the Jason Morris Judo Center) has won National titles, medaled and World Cups and competed on Pan American Championship Teams, but Sunday marked the first time the 24-year-old had the opportunity to compete at the World Championships.

“I had a blast just getting here.  Even just getting here was a great achievement,” said Kossor who earned his berth to the Worlds by winning the Senior Nationals in May.  “Remember that speech [Coach] Jimmy [Pedro] gave about how you never know if you’re going to get the chance to be here again so just go out and take your shots and leave everything on the mat?  That’s what I came out here to do.” 

After a first-round bye in the 60kg division, Kossor took the lead during his match against Abazbek Omurzakov (KGZ) when Omurzakov committed three penalties.  As the match wore down, Kossor threw Omurzakov for a yuko (quarter-point) score to add to his lead and win the match... more>  

(Tokyo, Japan) – Following last night’s gold medal win at the Senior World Championships by Kayla Harrison (Wakefield, Mass. / NYAC / USA Judo National Team FORCE) in the 78kg division, USA Judo Board President Lance Nading (Denver, Colo.) offered his congratulations to Harrison on becoming the fourth U.S. athlete ever to win a World title:

“Being here and seeing Kayla make it to the gold medal match was truly amazing, but seeing her win it in Golden Score the way she did for all of us here was like being a part of history.

American judo is lucky to have Kayla Harrison as part of the USA Judo family.  The grace and dignity with which she won the gold medal is what you would hope for from a World Champion... more>

(Colorado Springs, Colo.) – USA Judo is pleased to announce that two-time Olympic medalist Jimmy Pedro (Methuen, Mass.) will be the head coach of the 32-athlete team that will compete at the Senior World Championships, Sept. 9-13 in Tokyo, Japan. 

“I am honored to be chosen as the USA Judo World Team Coach again,” said Pedro who led his first Senior World Team in 2009.  “Five years ago, the Director of Athlete Performance, Ed Liddie, and I created the U23 Program to help groom the next generation of USA Judo champions.  Now, five years later, a majority of those young athletes are preparing to qualify for this year’s World Team, so I have a very good working relationship with all of them.”

Pedro most recently served as the head coach of the U.S. team that won 11 medals at the Pan American Championships in El Salvador earlier this month where he was joined by team manager Chris Skelley (Paterson, N.J.)  Skelley will return to this role at the Senior World Championships as well... more>