James Bregman
Encyclopedia
James Steven Bregman (born November 17, 1941, in Arlington, Virginia) was a member of the first American
team to compete in judo
in the Summer Olympics. He is Jewish.
In 1964 he won the AAU Senior National Judo Championship.
Judo was first in included in the 1964 Summer Olympics
in Tokyo
, and Bregman won a bronze medal in the under 80kg category in those games—the only American to bring home a medal in judo in the 1964 Summer Games
.
The judo world sometimes speaks with pride of the 1964 American Olympic judo team as consisting of a Jew, an African-American, a Japanese-American, and a Native American (see Nishioka's book in the references, below). Bregman was the Jew in this grouping.
In 1965 he won a gold medal at the Pan American Games in the 176 pound division. He also won a gold medal in the Maccabiah Games
that year.
Bregman has continued to be involved in the American judo community, and until recently served as president of the United States Judo Association.
On August 19, 2009, Bregman was promoted to the rank of Kudan by the United States Judo Association
. This event took place at the YMCA International Judo Camp in Huguenot, New York.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
team to compete in judo
Judo
is a modern martial art and combat sport created in Japan in 1882 by Jigoro Kano. Its most prominent feature is its competitive element, where the object is to either throw or takedown one's opponent to the ground, immobilize or otherwise subdue one's opponent with a grappling maneuver, or force an...
in the Summer Olympics. He is Jewish.
In 1964 he won the AAU Senior National Judo Championship.
Judo was first in included in the 1964 Summer Olympics
1964 Summer Olympics
The 1964 Summer Olympics, officially known as the Games of the XVIII Olympiad, was an international multi-sport event held in Tokyo, Japan in 1964. Tokyo had been awarded with the organization of the 1940 Summer Olympics, but this honor was subsequently passed to Helsinki because of Japan's...
in Tokyo
Tokyo
, ; officially , is one of the 47 prefectures of Japan. Tokyo is the capital of Japan, the center of the Greater Tokyo Area, and the largest metropolitan area of Japan. It is the seat of the Japanese government and the Imperial Palace, and the home of the Japanese Imperial Family...
, and Bregman won a bronze medal in the under 80kg category in those games—the only American to bring home a medal in judo in the 1964 Summer Games
Judo at the 1964 Summer Olympics
The judo competition at the 1964 Summer Olympics was the first time the sport was included in the Summer Olympic Games. Medals were awarded in 4 classes, and competition was restricted to men only. The competition was held in the Nippon Budokan, which was built to host the competition...
.
The judo world sometimes speaks with pride of the 1964 American Olympic judo team as consisting of a Jew, an African-American, a Japanese-American, and a Native American (see Nishioka's book in the references, below). Bregman was the Jew in this grouping.
In 1965 he won a gold medal at the Pan American Games in the 176 pound division. He also won a gold medal in the Maccabiah Games
Maccabiah Games
The Maccabiah is an international Jewish athletic event similar to the Olympics held in Israel every four years under the auspices of the Maccabi Federation, affiliated with the Maccabi World Union. The Maccabiah Games is the third largest international sports competition in the world...
that year.
Bregman has continued to be involved in the American judo community, and until recently served as president of the United States Judo Association.
On August 19, 2009, Bregman was promoted to the rank of Kudan by the United States Judo Association
United States Judo Association
The United States Judo Association is an independent, national amateur sports organization, originally founded in 1954 The USJA is also a Charter Group "A"member of the United States Judo, Inc. which is the National Governing Body...
. This event took place at the YMCA International Judo Camp in Huguenot, New York.
See also
- List of select Jewish judokas
- Ben Nighthorse CampbellBen Nighthorse CampbellBenjamin Nighthorse Campbell is an American politician. He was a U.S. Senator from Colorado from 1993 until 2005 and was during his tenure the only American Indian serving in the U.S. Congress. Campbell was a three term U.S. Representative from 1987 to 1993, when he was sworn into office as a...
(1964 teammate) - George Harris (1964 teammate)
- Paul MaruyamaPaul MaruyamaProfessor Paul Kuniaki Maruyama was a member of the first American team to compete in judo in the Summer Olympics. Judo was first in included in the 1964 Summer Olympics in Tokyo.He was born in Tokyo....
(1964 teammate) - Yosh Uchida (Olympic team coach)
External links
- Nishioka, Hayward (2000) Judo: Heart and Soul Ohara Publications. ISBN 0-89750-137-3
- An interview with Jim Bregman on the JudoInfo.com web site