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Neil Adams (judoka)

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For other people named Neil Adams, see Neil Adams (disambiguation).
Neil Adams
8th Dan, MBE
Neil Adams at the 2012 Summer Olympics.
Personal information
Birth nameNeil Adrian Adams
Nationality England
Born (1958-09-27) 27 September 1958 (age 66)
Rugby, Warwickshire
Height1.77 m (5 ft 10 in)
Weight78 kg (172 lb; 12.3 st)
Sport
Country Great Britain
SportJudo
Rankhachidan
Medal record
Men's Judo
Representing  United Kingdom
Olympic Games
Silver medal – second place 1980 Moscow -71 kg
Silver medal – second place 1984 Los Angeles -78 kg
World Championships
Gold medal – first place 1981 Maastricht -78 kg
Silver medal – second place 1983 Moscow -78 kg
Bronze medal – third place 1979 Paris -71 kg
Bronze medal – third place 1985 Seoul -78 kg
European Championships
Gold medal – first place 1979 Brussels -71 kg
Gold medal – first place 1980 Vienna -78 kg
Gold medal – first place 1983 Paris -78 kg
Gold medal – first place 1984 Liege -78 kg
Gold medal – first place 1985 Hamar -78 kg
Bronze medal – third place 1977 Ludwigshafen -71 kg
Bronze medal – third place 1978 Helsinki -71 kg
Bronze medal – third place 1982 Rostock -78 kg

Neil Adrian Adams, MBE (born 27 September 1958 in Rugby, Warwickshire) is an English judoka who won numerous Olympic and World Championship medals in judo representing Great Britain.

Early life

Adams was educated at Myton School in Warwick. Adams' brother was the late professional wrestling star Chris Adams, who himself had a successful career in judo before turning to pro wrestling in 1978.

Judo competition career

Adams was the first British male to win a World title, and the first British male to simultaneously hold a world title and a European title. Other achievements include a gold medal at the 1981 World Judo Championships in Maastricht, the Netherlands, plus silver medals in the 1980 and 1984 Summer Olympic Games and the 1983 Judo World Championships. Adams was also five-time European Champion.[1] On 20 September 2008 he was promoted to 8th Dan at the age of 49.[2]

Coaching career

Since retiring, Adams has run a coach education business called Neil Adams Effective Fighting, as well as teaching Judo around the world.

He was national coach of VJF judo in Belgium. He then became head coach of the Welsh Judo Association, a position he took on after being asked to take up the role by close friend and chairman of the association Keven Williams, a position he resigned in March 2009.[3]

Personal life

Having in the 1980s been together with British Olympic swimming star Sharron Davies, Adams has since the 1990s been married to former Canadian Olympic Judoka Niki Jenkins. The couple have two daughters, and the family lives in Coventry.

Bibliography

  • (1986) "Olympic Judo: Throwing Techniques" Pelham (with Cyril Carter)
  • (1986) "Olympic Judo: Variations on Groundwork" Pelham (with Cyril Carter)
  • (1988) "Olympic Judo: Preparation and Training" Pelham (with Cyril Carter)
  • (1991) "Tai-otoshi" Judo Masterclass Techniques Ippon Books
  • (1991) "Arm Locks" Judo Masterclass Techniques Ippon Books
  • (1991) "Grips" Judo Masterclass Techniques Ippon Books
  • (2016) "A Game of Throws - celebrating 50 years in Judo" Fox Spirit Books

Adams was so fondly regarded in Japan that he was given the nickname Happo Bigin (Everyone's friend).[4]

A canine version of Neil Adams made a 'guest appearance' in episode 44 of the online comic series Dog Judo[5]

See also

References

  1. ^ Judo Legends: Neil Adams (realjudo.net)
  2. ^ "Dan Grade register". British Judo Association. Retrieved 10 December 2016.
  3. ^ Kombatclinic.com (6 October 2009), British Judo legend Neil Adams MBE, retrieved 3 November 2009
  4. ^ Judo Heroes – 2002 Manchester Commonwealth Games website
  5. ^ Dog Judo site
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