Jimmy Pedro
James A. Pedro (born October 30, 1970) is an American retired World Championship and Olympic judoka and current judo coach.[1] Pedro currently holds a 7th degree black belt in judo. He is the coach of Kayla Harrison, the first and currently only American to win an Olympic gold medal in judo.[2]
Personal information
James A. Pedro
Peanuts
American
October 30, 1970
Danvers, Massachusetts, U.S.
Methuen, Massachusetts, U.S.
Judo Instructor
5 ft 9 in (1.75 m)
Marie Pedro
7th dan black belt
Jim Pedro
Pedro’s Judo Center in Wakefield, Massachusetts
(1999)
Early life and education[edit]
Pedro was born on October 30, 1970, in Danvers, Massachusetts. He was trained by his father James Pedro Sr., a 1976 Olympic Alternate.[2] Pedro is currently a 7th degree Black Belt in judo, and also has a Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Business Economics and Organizational Behavior & Management from Brown University, whom he also wrestled for. His favorite judo technique is Sode Tsuri Komi Goshi, and his most effective is Juji Gatame.[3]
Post-competition career[edit]
Pedro retired from competitive judo after the 2004 Olympics. He has worked for Monster.com, promoted a brand of tatami training mats used for judo and jujutsu practice and competition, and been the subject of a biographical movie. A newaza (ground techniques) specialist, Jimmy currently owns and operates Pedro's Judo Center in Wakefield, Massachusetts, and teaches clinics and seminars throughout the country. Pedro also coached the U.S. Olympic Judo team at the 2012 Olympics in London. He is the national sales executive for FUJI Mats + Facility Design.[3] He is Kayla Harrison's coach. Harrison was the first American to win an Olympic gold medal in judo.[2] Fury on the mat is a biographical movie about Jimmy Pedro. Pedro currently owns and operates the renowned Mat and Outfitting company, www.FujiMats.com and sister company www.fujisports.com
Personal life[edit]
Pedro is married and the father of four children.
