British-American judoka (born 1997)
John Jayne ( JAYN; born 4 March 1997)[2] is a judoka.[3] A triple national born and raised in England,[4] he has represented both Great Britain and the United States. Most recently, he competed for the latter at the 2024 Summer Olympics.
Early life and education
Jayne was born and raised in London to an American father and a Bulgarian mother, giving him triple citizenship. He took his first judo class at the Budokwai in Chelsea at age 3 and went on to train at Moberly Stars Judo in Queen's Park.[5][4] Growing up in London representing the Moberly Stars Judo Club he set an all time British record by winning the British Judo Association National Age Banded Championships ten times.[6] He represented Great Britain until 2013. In 2013 he was Cadet National Champion in three countries – USA, Great Britain and Bulgaria; and was also 2013 World Cadet Sambo Champion.[7] In addition, in 2014, Jayne placed 7th at USAW Junior Greco Nationals.[8]
Jayne attended Westminster Under School, Dulwich College and completed his A Levels at the Mander Portman Woodward school in London.[9] He went on to graduate from the University of Chicago[10] with a BA in Mathematics in 2019 and from King's College London with an MSc in Mathematics in 2022. While at the University of Chicago, Jayne did collegiate wrestling, before switching his focus back to judo upon graduation.[11]
Career
He was a bronze medalist in the 90 kg category at the 2022 Pan American-Oceania Judo Championships in Lima, Peru.[12][13]
He was a bronze medalist in the 90 kg category at the 2023 Pan American-Oceania Judo Championships in Calgary, Canada.[14]
He was a silver medalist in the 90 kg category at the 2024 Pan American-Oceania Judo Championships in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. He was subsequently selected for the 2024 Paris Olympics to compete in the men's 90 kg.[15]
In the Paris Olympics, he defeated former vice world champion Christian Parlati in the preliminary round before being knocked out by Han Ju-yeop in the Round of 16.[16]
References
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