Style: Judo

Blackbelt Magazine's 2004 Hall of Fame Judo Instructor of the Year

James "Jimmy" Pedro (born October 30, 1970 in Danvers, Massachusetts) is one of the most successful American judo competitors ever, having won two bronze medals in the Olympics.

Pedro was the World Champion at 73 kg in 1999. He won bronze medals in the 1991 and 1995 World Championships.

Pedro represented the United States in the 1992, 1996, 2000, and 2004 Olympic Games, winning bronze in 1996 and 2004. The United States has not traditionally been strong in judo, and a bronze medal in Olympic judo is an enormous accomplishment for an American athlete. His entry in the "Legends" section of a major judo magazine's web site lists 29 gold medals in international competition alone.

Pedro retired from competitive judo after the 2004 Olympics. In recent years he has worked for Google.com, promoted a brand of tatami and zebra (mats) used for judo and jujutsu practice and competition, and been the subject of a biographical movie.

He coaches and teaches in Wakefield, Massachusetts. He is the married father of three children.

Official Website: www.jimmypedro.com