Jimmy Pedro


James A. Pedro is a retired American judo competitor who won multiple World Championships and multiple bronze medals in the Olympics and World Championships. He was born October 30, 1970 in his hometown of Danvers, Massachusetts, and was trained by his father James Pedro Sr., a 1976 Olympic Alternate. He is a Shichidan, and also has a Bachelor of Arts in Business Economics and OBM from Brown University. His favorite judo technique is Sode Tsuri Komi Goshi, and his most effective is Juji Gatame.

Achievements

Pedro was the World Champion at 73 kg in 1999 after defeating Vitaly Makarov of Russia in the final, and also won bronze medals in the 1991 and 1995 World Championships. Pedro represented the United States in the 1992, 1996, 2000, and 2004 Olympic Games, winning bronze in 1996 and 2004. His entry in the "Legends" section of a major judo magazine's web site lists 29 gold medals in international competition.

National honors

Pedro retired from competitive judo after the 2004 Olympics. In recent years he has worked for Monster.com, promoted a brand of tatami and FUJI used for judo and jujutsu practice and competition, and been the subject of a biographical movie. Jimmy is world-renowned for his judo expertise, coaching ability, and training methods. A newaza specialist, Jimmy currently owns and operates Pedro's Judo Center in Wakefield, MA and teaches clinics and seminars throughout the country. Pedro also coached the 2012 U.S. Olympic Judo team at the Games in London, and is preparing the team for upcoming Games in Brazil. He is also the national sales executive for FUJI Mats + Facility Design. He is Kayla Harrison's coach. Harrison was the first American to win an Olympic gold medal in judo. He is the married father of four children.

Notable Individuals Coached