| In United States during the 1960's the civil rights | | | | this martial art). His dedication would bring him to |
| debate raged on around the country, but a | | | | the Olympics. He would even train with martial |
| handful of men put aside their petty differences | | | | arts legend and author Donn Draeger. Finally, |
| and banned together to chase a dream. Under | | | | veteran Judo instructor Yosh Uchida a Japanese |
| Olympic rules, the host country can add a sport | | | | American would coach the team. |
| to the games so in 1964 when Japan was | | | | The competition was fierce at the Olympics in |
| selected to host the games, Judo was added to | | | | 1964, but the Japanese would still dominate three |
| the events. Though this was the first year Judo | | | | of the four weight classes. The one exception |
| was an Olympic event the United States still | | | | was the 6'7" 320 pound Anton Geesink of Holland |
| fielded an experienced team made up of | | | | who won a gold medal bye defeating Akio |
| Americans from a variety of ethnic, religious and | | | | Kaminaga in the open weight division. Though |
| economical backgrounds. | | | | victorious Geesink would behave honorably and |
| From the beginning, Dr. Jigoro Kano Judo's founder | | | | prevent Dutch fans from fighting with Japanese |
| taught anyone who wanted to learn. It was the | | | | fans who were shocked by the defeat. James |
| first time this type of training, normally reserved | | | | Bergman would be the only American to medal |
| for nobility, was made available to the masses. | | | | with a Bronze. Though American didn't bring home |
| Kano sent instructors all over the world to teach | | | | the Gold Meda,l the team made a good showing |
| people the martial art and expose them to | | | | and earned the respect of other nations. The |
| Japanese culture. Unlike before, students of any | | | | United States would not win another medal in |
| nationality were welcomed and encouraged to | | | | Judo until 1976 when Allen J. Coage an African |
| train at the Kodokan Judo Institute in Tokyo. A | | | | American won the Bronze Medal. Though the |
| special section was eventually set up to help | | | | United States has yet to win a Gold Medal in Judo, |
| teach foreigners this amazing martial art. Among | | | | American teams remain competitive in the |
| these foreigners was British police officer William | | | | Olympics and other competitions. |
| Fairbairn. He would go on earn his black belt in | | | | The original members of the 1964 team still |
| Judo (2nd degree) and would go to teach other | | | | continued to contribute to the sport today. |
| police officers and soldiers practical close combat | | | | George Harris continued to compete though he |
| and self defense techniques based of what he | | | | would not compete in the Olympics again. He also |
| learned. Kano would travel the world teaching and | | | | helped found the United States Judo Association |
| lecturing and in 1938 he even sat on the Olympic | | | | and remains active as a board member. Though |
| committee in an effort to bring the Olympics to | | | | he has been ill in the last few years he continues |
| Tokyo. | | | | to train which he credits with keeping him strong. |
| The American team embodied the true spirit of | | | | Ben Campbell also worked to promote Judo with |
| Judo and as well served as a snapshot of | | | | Harris in the USJA and is on the board. Campbell |
| American society of the day. The team to head | | | | would also work as a police officer, teacher, and |
| to Tokyo in 1964 included African American | | | | be elected as Senator for Colorado from 1993 |
| George Harris, an Air Force veteran who had won | | | | until 2005. Bergman also teaches, writes, and |
| a number of important tournaments around the | | | | continues to promote Judo. He remains proud to |
| world. In addition to military competitions and he | | | | be a member of America's first Olympic Judo |
| trained at the Kodokan in Japan several times. | | | | team. |
| Another Air Force veteran to join the team was | | | | In a time when society was demanding equality |
| Native American Ben Nighthorse Campbell, who | | | | for all and that a man be judged by his ability not |
| was first introduced to Judo by Japanese friends | | | | his race a group of athletes stood up and became |
| growing up in California. Like Harris, he continued | | | | a symbol of America. For many the team meant |
| to practice Judo in the military and trained bomber | | | | another step forward for civil rights, but to the |
| pilots in combat martial arts as part of their | | | | team it was just being true sportsmen. Sports |
| survival training. Also on the team was James | | | | don't build character, they reveal it and in 1964 |
| Bergman, a Jew who's Asthma forced him to | | | | the United States showed what could be done if |
| stay inside so he trained in Judo to keep fit and | | | | everyone worked together. |
| be able to fight off bullies (an added benefit of | | | | |