Making History: Jack Yonezuka

A family legacy sometimes shines through talent. Such is the case with Jack Yonezuka, who became the first man in America to stand atop the Junior World Championship podium in thirty years. Athlete Jack Yonezuka is a young yet vetted Judoka who is successfully filling in the footsteps of his father and his older brother, both veteran martial artists.

As this youngblood makes his mark on the world, a lot goes unheard. This article will give us a better glimpse at Jack’s life.

Who Is Jack Yonezuka, And What Are His Accomplishments?

The nineteen-year-old Jack is a celebrated Judo champion with more than a few medals around his neck. However, there’s more to his personality.

Early Life

Born in the United States on 20th May 2003, Jack watched his older brother Nick and his Sensei father live their lives as world-class Judokas. Staying true to his family line, Jack started practicing Judo at the wee age of five. In his school interview, Shore Regional High School, he revealed that Judo runs in his family.

His grandfather was a Judo coach for the US Olympic team for two terms, in 1988 and 1992. Moreover, his father was an Olympian himself in 1980. It made up for a green light Jack didn't even know he needed. He started training under his Sensei brother, Nick, and his father.

Current Wins

Thus, Jack Yonezuka became an American judo champion and an inspiring figure for the next generation. He has already accomplished some remarkable achievements in the Judo world. In 2021, at the Judo Pan American Open Punto Cana, he achieved seventh place, and one year later, he earned bronze at the Junior Worlds in Guayaquil.

And not only bronze, but Jack has bagged medals, such as at the US Open Orlando U21 in July 2021. Under the same European Cups Junior event, he bagged one more gold medal the following year in July 2022 at the US Open Fort Lauderdale U21.

A family legacy was on the line in August 2022 at the Junior World Championships in Guayaquil, Ecuador. It had been nearly thirty years since an American man stood atop the podium — until Jack Yonezuka entered the competition.

Following in footsteps

The nineteen-year-old followed similarly to his father and older brother as they pursued martial arts success. Both Nick Jr., 20, and Jack himself were coached by their dad - a 1980 Olympian and a former US Judo head at Cranford Judo & Karate Center.

Representing his hometown, Jack’s love of Judo shines through every time he steps onto the mat. Though Jack indeed loves throwing people in Judo like any competitor worth their salt, he also enjoys winning, making new friends, and traveling the world - so his victory lap has been a true joy to witness.

How is Jack Yonezuka Making History?

Having won gold in his 73kg event at Senior National Championships in April, Jack faced a setback in June when he won bronze at the Junior Olympic Championships. But the tables turned for his career when he won the gold at the US Open Fort Lauderdale in July 2022 and at Quebec Senior Open Montreal in November 2022.

The events at the Junior World Championship in Guayaquil, Ecuador, weren’t anything less than what you would see on the big screen. Yonezuka faced a difficult challenge in his opening bout, taking on World No. 1 and two-time Junior Pan American Champion Gabriel Falcao from Brazil.

After an intense match that went into sudden death overtime with Yonezuka trailing 2 - 1, he was able to come away victorious by throwing the Brazilian for waza-ari (half point) within the first minute of Golden Score.

In quarterfinal action against Canadian Jumber Meladze, Yonezuka scored ippon (instant win) but ultimately bowed out to eventual gold medalist Ryuga Tanaka from Japan due to penalties tallied during extra time.

Yonezuka earned his spot in the repechage bronze medal final by throwing Ahmadzod Masudi from Tajikistan for a waza-ari score. His opponent was a Hungarian athlete, Daniel Szegedi, who had previously won the European Junior Championships bronze medal and had beaten 2022 Senior Pan Am Champion Dominic Rodriguez in the first round. After an intense battle, Yonezuka clinched a victory with another waza-ari throw to secure third place on the podium.

Yonezuka's podium finish has added his name to an esteemed list of Junior World medalists from the US, a roster that features future Olympians Marcus Dawson, Kayla Harrison, and Ronda Rousey - all gold medallists in their events. In the list, Jimmy Pedro, who won bronze at the 1990 edition, and Jason Morris, with bronze in 1986, both had gone on to take home Olympic medals.

Conclusion

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America’s Judo stars are far from done when it comes to elevating the country’s image before the world. Athletes like Jack are proud servers to their community and true to their game. You will likely see the young athlete showcase his talents in the upcoming championships.