Judo/Sambo >> Original Judo Olympian passes

Okay this is number two for me and it is doubly as sad.

https://webpoint.usjudo.org/Files/UploadFiles/menu_george_harris.jpg

George Harris
Member of the 1964 Olympic Judo Team
January 15, 1933 to January 7, 2011

He was a hero, mentor, roll model to many, and a leader that opened doors for many others. I thank George for everything you did and accomplished within the sport of Judo. Keep George and his family in your thoughts.

Harris was born in Kittrell, North Carolina. He was a boxer early on and didn’t venture into judo until he was about 21 in the military, he said in a video interview recorded at Jack Krystek’s School of Judo in Ozone Park, New York. Click to see the video. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KiFCxtIIwjk

Harris ascended some of the highest podiums on the world stage in addition to competing in the Olympics. He twice medaled gold at the Pan American Games. He was a four-time national champion and took the Air Force championship six times. In the Air Force, he taught hand-to-hand combat to military police.