We caught up with talented young American judoka Jack Yonezuka during his Olympic training. Join us as he shares his family legacy of judo excellence and competing in the Paris 2024 Olympics.
Who is Jack Yonezuka?
Jack Yonezuka was born on 20 May, 2003 in West Long Branch, New Jersey, USA. He is in the -73 weight category in Judo, and will compete in the Paris 2024 Olympics as one of the youngest male athletes.
Judoka Jack Yonezuka earned a bronze medal at the 2022 Junior World Championships in Guayaquil and a silver medal at the 2023 Junior Worlds in Portugal. In 2023, he also won gold at the African Open in Tunis, the Pan American Open in Cordoba, and the Junior European Cup in Skopje.
Jack secured bronze medals at the Oceania Open in Perth and at the Grand Prix Upper Austria in Linz in 2024.
His father, Nicolas, qualified for the Olympics in 1980 at just 16 years old, and his brother, Nicolas Jr., also competes on the IJF World Tour. His Grandfather is two-time Olympic coach, Yoshisada Yonezuka, who founded the Cranford JKC Yonezuka Dojo in in Cranford, New Jersey.
Jack Yonezuka Interview
Can you share with us when you first started practicing judo and how old you were at the time?
I started judo at the age of 5. I didn’t really like judo at first. I remember my first judo training at my judo club, Cranford JKC, where I was thrown, my head bumped the mat, and I started crying. Hahaha. I eventually won a local competition, and I began enjoying judo.
Your grandfather, Yoshisada Yonezuka, founded the Cranford Judo Karate Center and coached the US Olympic team. How has his legacy influenced your approach to judo?
It definitely influenced my approach to judo because, from a young age, I knew I had a family legacy in the sport, and I just wanted to continue that legacy.
Can you share any particular lessons or stories from your grandfather that have inspired you in your judo career?
When he was sick and couldn’t teach judo training, he would always go outside the dojo and watch me from the dojo windows. He always thought I had great potential in judo.
Your father, Nick Yonezuka, was an Olympian and is now your coach. How has his experience shaped your training and mindset?
Again, I really just wanted to carry on the family legacy, so it has always pushed me to train my hardest.
How do you navigate the father-son dynamic in your coach-athlete relationship?
I really just try to treat him as I would any other coach on the mat.
What does it mean to you to be part of a three-generation judo legacy, and how do you plan to honour and expand this heritage in your career?
It’s really nice, and I’m proud that I’ve made it as far as I have. I’m actually the first in the family to compete in the Olympic Games, considering when my dad qualified, the 1980 Olympic team boycotted. Therefore, he never actually went to the Olympics. So it’s a first experience for him as well, and I hope to pay back my family with a gold medal!
How has your preparation been for the Paris 2024 Olympics?
It’s been very good. My schedule was so crammed with competitions during the qualifying period, so it’s been super nice to have some time to actually prepare properly for an event.
What are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced on your journey to qualify for Paris 2024?
There have been some challenges mentally and physically, but the most recent challenge I faced is that I got pneumonia one week before leaving for the Pan American Championships and had to compete not fully recovered from pneumonia and then again the following week in the Dushanbe Grand Slam.
How do you stay motivated and focused as you work towards Olympic qualification?
That part is easy. It’s the Olympic Games; every athlete dreams of being Olympic champion, so now I have an opportunity, and I’ll take full advantage.
Can you share your thoughts on winning the silver medal at the Junior World Championships in Odivelas?
That was an absolutely amazing day. I had come from a couple of setbacks the previous month, which really motivated me and humbled me. Leading up to the competition, I felt very confident. I have a lot of experience for my age, which I felt many of the juniors didn’t have. Throughout the day, I felt on fire and was super confident in myself all the way through.
How has your performance at the Junior World Championships influenced your training and strategy moving forward?
It really hasn’t. You know what they say: if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. Obviously, what I was doing was working, so nothing changed.
Congratulations on winning the bronze medal at the Grand Prix Upper Austria earlier this year! How did it feel to stand on the podium after such a challenging competition?
Firstly, thank you! Obviously, it felt great. This was my first Grand Prix medal, so I was super happy.
Can you take us through your matches and key moments that led to your bronze medal victory?
Sure! I beat a strong Frenchman, then I beat a Russian representing UAE, I lost to a strong Moroccan that I had lost to before as well, I beat a Brazilian that I had beaten twice before in the repechage, and finally I beat the Dutch guy for bronze.
How did winning the bronze medal at the Grand Prix Upper Austria impact your confidence and momentum heading into future competitions, including the Paris 2024 Olympics?
It showed me that I can beat the best guys in the world. Many of the best players in the world were at the event and went out either to me or others early in the day. It showed me that I can win any day, any competition, no matter who I fight.
What does a typical training day look like for you as you prepare for major competitions?
I usually do two judo sessions a day, one in the morning and one at night. On mornings when I don’t have a judo session, I’m in the gym instead.
How has your training evolved since you started competing at the senior level?
I guess the main difference is more international training camps. I worked, I think, insanely hard as a kid, so if anything, I train smarter now and don’t burn myself out like I used to.
Beyond Paris 2024, what are your long-term goals in judo, particularly with an eye towards the LA 2028 Olympics?
I like to try to take things day by day now, but ultimately, I’d really like to win a senior world medal. I have two world medals in the juniors, so I’d really like to prove myself as one of the best in the world. We will see about LA 2028 when it gets closer. God willing, I stay healthy and am able to qualify for LA 2028 as well. I’m glad I’m having my first Olympic experience now; that way, if I do compete in LA, I will already know exactly what to expect.
How do you see your recent successes impacting the growth and development of judo in the United States, particularly towards the LA 2028 Olympics?
I do, actually. I see the US juniors performing well on the junior circuit, and I think that particularly has to do with my success. Many of the US juniors know I’m just another human being. They realize that if I can do it, then any of them can.
Can you describe the impact of increased funding and opportunities for competitions and training camps on your performance?
Funding helps for sure. I’m very thankful for my sponsors, especially the New York Athletic Club. Without their help, much of my success wouldn’t have been possible.
What are some of the key lessons you’ve learned from competing internationally that have helped you improve?
I guess that one small mistake can cost you a match, so always stay sharp and focused.
What are some key habits or practices that have been crucial to your success that you would recommend to others?
Nothing really other than hard work. Hard work works, so work hard!
What advice would you give to young athletes who aspire to qualify for the Olympics in judo?
Train. Believe. Achieve. Set your mind to the goal and train towards it. Never have self-doubt; always believe in yourself. The results will come. If I can do it, anyone can!
Athlete Jack Yonezuka, -73kg Lightweight Judoka representing the United States of America.
Instagram: @thejudoman
Interviewed by Anastasia-Alexandra Nenova | Instagram: @madeinbulgariaxx | Facebook: @madeinbulgariaxx
