Nina Cutro-Kelly is an accomplished American judoka and sambo competitor with a career spanning over two decades. Nina was born with 50% hearing loss in both ears and wears a hearing aid in both ears.
Nina’s journey in judo began at the age of 7, following her father’s introduction to the sport. She made history as the first U.S. athlete to win a gold medal in judo at the Deaflympics and represented the United States at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics in the +78 kg event.
Over her career, she has earned medals at multiple prestigious competitions, including the Pan American Games and Championships, and the Sambo World Championships. Despite numerous challenges, Nina’s resilience and passion for the sport have seen her through injuries, personal losses, and professional obstacles.
Currently coaching and transitioning into Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Nina’s inspiring career offers lessons in perseverance, adaptability, and dedication to personal growth.
Who is Nina Cutro-Kelly?
Nina Cutro-Kelly, born on December 12, 1984, in Albany, New York, is a distinguished American judoka and sambo competitor. She has earned recognition in both sports, with notable achievements in judo, including her participation in the +78 kg event at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. A 5th Dan black belt, Nina has been a prominent member of Team USA, competing in nine world championships.
Nina’s career highlights include winning a bronze medal at the 2015 Pan American Games and a silver medal at the 2021 Pan American Championships. She also secured bronze medals at various Pan American Championships from 2015 to 2022. In sambo, she achieved bronze at the World Championships in 2011, 2014, and 2016, showcasing her versatility and skill.
She is a 2022 Deaflympic judo champion in the +78 kg category and has been actively involved in coaching at Universal Judo in San Antonio. Her journey reflects a dedication to both personal excellence and the broader judo community.
Interview with Nina Cutro-Kelly
Can you walk us through your journey in judo? What first sparked your interest in the sport, and how has your passion evolved over the years?
I started judo at the age of 7 in 1992. My father had practiced judo as a teen and was looking for a family-friendly sport for us all to do together. I had been kicked out of ballet, art class, and Little League, so he figured, “She won’t get in trouble for being rough at judo.” I liked judo from day one, but I struggled to pay attention in class. However, by the time I was a teen, I had met my current coach and really enjoyed his classes. Additionally, the other girls I trained with were highly successful, and I realized I could potentially be successful on a national and even international level.
You’ve been in the running for multiple Olympic Games before finally making the team in 2020. What kept you motivated through those years of trying and not quite making it?
Nina showing her Olympic ring tattoo. Photo from Nina’s Instagram account.
No matter what was happening in my life, judo has always been there for me. I lost my sister, lost jobs, got divorced, and got injured, and no matter what, I could always return to judo and have it help me through these moments. As a result, I’m not sure if making the Olympic team was a result or a by-product of staying with judo for so long.
At 36, you’re the oldest American judoka to qualify for the Olympics. How do you feel about representing not just your country, but also the idea that it’s never too late to achieve your dreams?
In 2016, I had a torn glute muscle and had just gotten divorced. I didn’t want to keep competing, but I also didn’t know what else to do with myself. I told myself I would give it one more shot and then stop. It worked. I think dreams happen when you least expect them. I had stopped chasing the proverbial windmill of the Olympic dream and instead decided to enjoy judo. I think that was the secret.
You’ve worked three jobs and endured 70-hour work weeks to fund your Olympic dreams. What has been the most challenging part of balancing work, training, and personal life?
Now that I don’t work three jobs, I often think I’m forgetting something! I am someone who likes to be busy, and I don’t like being broke. The challenge is that when you juggle many things, it only takes one emergency to throw your schedule out of whack. However, I don’t regret anything.
How did you manage the financial burdens of pursuing an Olympic career, and what advice would you give to aspiring athletes facing similar challenges?
Think outside the box and find jobs you can do when you’re in town or on the road. I was fortunate enough to teach English over the telephone, which I could bring with me from country to country. Additionally, I bartended at a friend’s bar and was able to make a lot of money in tips when I needed it. Finally, consider ways to have passive income. I own a house but covered my mortgage by renting out 2-3 rooms.
The pandemic delayed the Tokyo Olympics by a year. How did you stay focused and in peak condition during such an uncertain time?
I actually think that the Olympics being delayed saved my run for the team. In 2020, I was injured, and my hip/glute were simply not behaving. The delayed Olympic schedule allowed me to recover, focus on injury prevention, lose some weight, and train specifically in my garage with my roommate, who is also a judoka. I also ran, lifted in my garage, and brainstormed a lot from video before my workouts.
What role has your coach, Jim Hrbek, played in your journey to the Olympics? Can you share any particular moments or advice from him that had a significant impact on you?
My coach is like a family member at this point. He has been a huge part of my success since I met him when I was 14. One of the things he told me is, “You can’t be a champion during practice and lay down the rest of the day.” So, I learned to optimize my time management skills, which helped me study, work, and train simultaneously.
Looking back at your 20+ years of competition, what moments or victories stand out the most to you?
Making the 2021 Pan-American Championships finals was a significant achievement for me, as was winning bronze at the 2015 Pan American Games. Additionally, winning the 2014 and 2015 Kharlampiev Memorial Sambo tournament in Moscow was quite impressive. Finally, my breakthrough moment came at the 2007 Rendezvous tournament when I made the finals and defeated a top-ranked player to get there. This was my first senior international medal, and I was extremely happy!
As someone who has made history in the sport, what legacy do you hope to leave for future generations of judokas?
I hope that future generations of judokas love the sport for what it brings to their lives and try to give back through it. I cannot emphasize enough how much my life has changed since I decided to love judo for judo, rather than just chasing the Olympic dream.
After a long and successful judo career, what was the transition into retirement like for you? How did you know it was the right time to step away from competition?
I was old and tired! Actually, I was interested in transitioning from teaching English to project management, and I needed to complete a fellowship with LA28. One of the requirements was retiring from international competition, which I believe was the right choice. I did have one last foray into international competition at the 2022 World Championships, but getting defeated by a powerful Chinese athlete made me realize it was definitely time to retire.
Since retiring, what new goals or projects have you been focusing on? Have you found any new passions or pursuits that fill the void left by competitive judo?
I love spending time with my dogs, Indy and Buddy. I also have a large and chaotic collection of houseplants that I enjoy taking care of. I like working on my house in San Antonio, TX. Additionally, I have seriously invested in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. In 2023, after being a blue belt for 11 years, I found a BJJ club I loved. I have been training 3-5 times a week at Rodrigo Pinhero BJJ in San Antonio ever since. I won double gold at the 2023 IBJJF Master Worlds at Blue Belt, the 2024 Master Pans at Purple, and recently won double gold at the 2024 IBJJF Master Worlds at Purple Belt. I was promoted early to brown belt, so I think I may have replaced judo with a new and less painful form of grappling.
You’ve been involved in coaching at Universal Judo in San Antonio. How has your approach to coaching changed now that you’re retired from competition?
I think I am calmer now. I realize that becoming an accomplished judoka is about the journey more than the destination. Sometimes, you reach the destination simply by focusing on the journey. I also emphasize the amount of work that goes into success and help athletes focus on time management and priorities.
Do you see yourself staying connected to the sport in the long term, whether through coaching, mentoring, or other roles?
Absolutely. Judo will always be a part of my life.
As the oldest American judoka to qualify for the Olympics, what message do you hope your career sends to both current athletes and future generations?
In the words of Muhammad Ali: “Impossible is just a big word thrown around by small men who find it easier to live in the world they’ve been given than to explore the power they have to change it. Impossible is not a fact. It’s an opinion. Impossible is not a declaration. It’s a dare. Impossible is potential. Impossible is temporary. Impossible is nothing.”
How has your perspective on life and competition changed since retiring? Are there any life lessons from your judo career that you apply to your everyday life now?
Focus is a big one. I am able to organize my life and enjoy it the way I want to. I get to work out, I don’t have to work out. Also, real life is pretty calm compared to someone across the mat trying to smash you or break your arm. I try to remember this when facing problems at work. As a project manager, I view each project as a tournament to prepare for. This approach helps me break things down, assess schedule and budget concerns, and stay on task.
What advice would you give to athletes who are approaching the end of their careers and considering retirement?
Learn to love your sport for the sport itself, not just for achieving a goal. If judo isn’t that sport, find another interest that you enjoy just for yourself. Don’t dwell on the past.
Looking back, is there anything you would have done differently in your judo career, or are there experiences you now appreciate more in hindsight?
Honestly, I think we all end up where we are meant to be, so I wouldn’t change anything. However, I wish I had been more mindful of the journey early in my career when I was traveling and training a lot. I got to see the world but was often grumpy. I should have kept my eyes open more and enjoyed the experience.
Can you tell us about your journey in jiu-jitsu? How did you first get started, and what has motivated you to pursue your goal of becoming a black belt?
In 2012, I had ACL surgery, so I started training in BJJ while recovering. I spent a year in France and earned my blue belt. Then, I remained a blue belt for 11 years, occasionally dropping into open mats and attending practices or seminars. In 2023, my roommate—who is like an adopted brother—introduced me to his BJJ gym, which I really liked. My schedule allowed me to work out in the morning, and I enjoyed learning something new. I’d love to have my own training centre one day. In America, BJJ is more marketable than judo, so I aim to be a black belt to expand my program.
Jiu-Jitsu and judo share some similarities but also have distinct differences. How has your experience in judo influenced your jiu-jitsu practice, and vice versa?
BJJ and judo both derive from Kosen judo—the groundwork rule set. However, modern rules have them existing almost as opposite halves of a whole. I believe both sports are necessary to be a fully functional grappler.
What does achieving a black belt in jiu-jitsu mean to you, and how do you see it fitting into your broader martial arts journey?
I hope to offer BJJ when I open my own gym.
Congratulations on winning the 2024 IBJJF Masters Worlds gold medal! How did it feel to stand on the podium and receive that gold medal after all your hard work?
Honestly, I just wanted to return to the Airbnb, order pizza, hug my dogs, and gossip with my roommate about funny moments from the tournament. Again, it’s about the journey, not the destination.
Can you walk us through your preparation leading up to the 2024 IBJJF Masters Worlds? Were there any specific training routines or mental strategies that you focused on?
I did road work (sprints) twice a week, upper body lifting twice a week, daily PT for my neck and shoulder, and usually practiced judo twice a week and BJJ three times a week. This approach was similar to my judo training, but now included both BJJ and judo.
How has this victory at the IBJJF Masters Worlds impacted your outlook on your martial arts career? Do you feel this has opened new doors or opportunities for you?
It would be really cool to get a gi sponsorship from this! I’d also love to compete in tournaments with prize money. However, for now, I’m focused on returning from my vacation and getting back to my day job at Move United (the merged USA Disabled Sport & USA Adaptive Sport). We have a lot to do as we prepare for the launch of the 2025 Sanctioned Competition season, and I want to do my best to create sports opportunities for the adaptive sports community.
Athlete Nina Cutro-Kelly, + 78kg Open Weight Judoka formerly representing the United States of America.
- Instagram: @monkeyjudo
- Facebook: @ninacutrokelly
Interviewed by Anastasia-Alexandra Nenova
- Instagram: @madeinbulgariaxx
- Facebook: @madeinbulgariaxx
Further Reading
