USA Judo Coach Jimmy Pedro on Kayla Harrison and Olympic Dreams

Posted on | September 22, 2010 | No Comments

(Tokyo, Japan) – On Thursday, 20-year-old Kayla Harrison (Wakefield, Mass. / NYAC / USA Judo National Team FORCE) made history by becoming the first U.S. player to win a World Championship title since 1999.

USA Judo is pleased to announce that Harrison’s gold medal efforts will be rewarded with at least $21,000 in cash prize money.

After receiving her gold medal on Thursday, Harrison was presented with a check for $6,000 from the International Judo Federation.

In addition, USA Judo and the U.S. Olympic Committee each will award Harrison $5,000. The American Judo Fund also has pledged to contribute $5,000.

“Winning an Olympic Medal today in the Olympic Games in our sport is only possible through a thoughtful and well executed training plan. The financial commitment is staggering,” said USA Judo President Lance Nading (Denver, Colo.) “On average, medal hopefuls from around the world receive in excess of $100,000 per year in training, coaching, medical and living support expenses. That amount or more is just the financial commitment it takes to have a shot at winning.”

Now here’s where you come in.

USA Judo is pleased to announce that any donations to Harrison’s prize fund, up to a maximum of $5,000 will be matched by USA Judo.

This effort was begun by the USA Judo Board of Directors, including Nading and Noboru Saito (Clawson, Mich.) who each contributed $100 to the fund. USA Judo CEO Jose H. Rodriguez (Colorado Springs, Colo.) also contributed $100.

“Don’t wait for me to call,” Nading said. “Please join the list today with myself and other USA Judo Board Members who have personally donated to the Kayla Harrison Olympic Gold Medal Fund. All funds collected will be awarded to Kayla’s training program in pursuit of bringing home Olympic Gold in 2012. You may donate and be listed as an individual, club or organization. I sincerely thank you in advance for your support.”

Donations will be accepted from Sept. 15 through Oct. 1.

“We are so excited to be able to offer Kayla this opportunity to receive even more assistance with her travel and training on her pursuit for the gold medal in London,” Rodriguez said. “During the past four years, USA Judo has had the opportunity to help support Kayla through monthly athlete stipends and training grants as she progressed through the ranks of being a USA Judo U-23 Team member, Junior World Champion and now the top player in the world heading into London. We will continue to increase our support of Kayla during the upcoming years as she pursues her goal of becoming the first U.S. player ever to stand on the top of the Olympic podium.”

Rodriguez continued: “Just as the USOC likes to say that it is Americans who financially support our Olympians, we would like to say that it is our American Judo community who also supports performances like Kayla’s gold medal. We will take $10 donations as well as $1,000 donations. It is not the amount that is most important, but the fact that we are rewarding performance as a nation and as a sport.”

Those wishing to join in this effort may do so by contacting USA Judo CEO at Jose.H.Rodriguez@usajudo.us or send your donations to:

USA Judo
1 Olympic Plaza
Colorado Springs, Colorado 80909
Attention: Kayla Harrison Award Fund

About Pedro’s Martial Arts: http://www.pedrosmartialarts.com/

About Zebra Mats: http://www.zebramats.com