Jason Morris

JUDO Bio

     Jason Morris started his Judo Journey in 1975 at the age of 8 and loved it immediately.  He still does!  He retired after his 4th appearance at the Olympics in 2000.  He started coaching immediately following the 1996 Atlanta Olympics (his 3rd), and having students helped him learn to love the sport all over again.  Standing on the podium with a silver medal in 1992 has been his career highlight so far.  When asked what he seeks from teaching and coaching, Jason replies, “One day I hope to have one of my students stand on the podium getting a Gold.”  He adds, “That’s what I work for today.”

     After the 2000 Sydney Olympics the JMJC was officially in full swing aided immensely by his partner and wife, Teri Takemori.  As the JMJC came to life he knew his father, Bernie Morris, would have been extremely proud as he and Jason had dreams of doing this together after he won the Silver medal in Barcelona.  But tragically, his Dad passed away nine (9) days after Jason won the Silver Medal, and while he was on his way to the closing ceremonies.  That fact alone helps Jason honor his father, and the world’s greatest sport every day. 

     Jason and Teri have developed a terrific formula for building Champions, and enjoyed some immediate success as their superstar athletes racked up Jr. National, National and International medals.  As soon as you can, be sure to visit Jason at the Jason Morris Judo Center…maybe you will be the next Olympian? 

Birthdate:  2/3/67   Born:  Schenectady, NY   Residence:  Glenville, NY

Height:  180cm (5’11’ )    Weight Class:  81kg

Education:  Syracuse University

Rank:  Shichidan (7th Degree Black Belt)

Ranked 1st in Nation for 12 years (1987 – 1996, 1999-2000)
  5x Olympian: 1988 Korea, 1992 Spain, 1996 USA, 2000 Australia, 2008 China (Coach)

60 Career International Medals

Owner/Operator:  Real Judo Magazine

Head Instructor:  JASON MORRIS JUDO CENTER (JMJC) 584 Rt. 50, Glenville, NY

Favorite Athletes:  Larry Bird, Roger Federer, Ken Stabler

Favorite Actors:  Charles Bronson, Clint Eastwood & Walter Mathau

Favorite Movies:  Dirty Harry, Kelly’s Heroes & Mr. Majestyk

Favorite Music:  Dio, Edguy, House of Lords, Kiss, Joe Lynn Turner & Uriah Heep

 NATIONAL HONORS

  •       2010 – Elected to USJF Hall of Fame
  •       2008 – Elected to USA Judo Hall of Fame
  •       2007 USOC “Development Coach of the Year” (Judo)
  •       2006, 2005 & 2003 “Coach of the Year” Real Judo Magazine
  •       2006 USOC “Coach of the Year” (Judo)
  •       2003 “International Jr. Female Coach of the Year” USJF
  •       6x National Champion (89,90,91,92,93 & 99)
  •       National Collegiate Champion
  •       National High School Champion
  •       8x National Junior Champion
  •       Olympic Sports Festival Champion
  •       3x Outstanding Judoka of the Year
  •       1999 – Real Judo Magazine “Comeback Player of the Year”
  •       1998 – Elected to NYAC Hall of Fame
  •       1993 – New York Athletic Club “Athlete of the Year”
  •       1993 & 1992 – USOC “Athlete of the Year” (Judo)

MAJOR INTERNATIONAL MEDALS

GOLD

99, 93 & 89 US Open – Colorado Springs, CO

91 Pan Am Games – Havana, Cuba

90 Tbilisi International – Tbilisi, Georgia (Only winner ever from North & South America)

90 & 89 Guido Sieni – Sassari, Italy

88 Czech Open – Prague, Czech Republic

88 Ontario Open – Toronto, Canada

87 Austrian Open – Leonding, Austria

87 Pacific Rim Championships –Colorado Springs, CO, USA

87 Pan Am Games – Indianapolis, IN, USA

87 & 85 Jr. Pan Am Championships – Mexico City, Mexico

86, 85 & 84 New York Open –Manhattan, NY

85 & 84 Quebec Open – Montreal, QC

81 Mexico International (65kg) –Mexico City, Mexico

SILVER

95 Pan Am Games – Mar de Plata, Argentina

92 Olympic Games – Barcelona, Spain

92 Hungarian Open – Budapest, Hungary

91 Korean Open – Seoul, Korea

90, 87 & 85 US Open – Colorado Springs, CO

89 French Open – Paris, France

89 Pacific Rim Championships –Beijing, China

88 German Open – Russelsheim, Germany

BRONZE

00 British Open – Birmingham, England

99 Rendez Vous Canada – Montreal, QC

95 US Open – Macon, GA

95, 90, 89 & 88 Hungarian Open – Budapest, Hungary

95 Pacific Rim Championships – Sydney, Australia

94, 88 & 86 US Open – Colorado Springs, CO

93 World Championships –Hamilton, Canada

91 Pacific Rim Championships – Honolulu, HI, USA

90 Kano Cup – Tokyo, Japan

90 Tre Torri – Porto Sant’Elpidio, Italy

89 Austrian Open – Leonding, Austria

88 Guido Sieni – Sassari, Italy

86 Jr. World Championships – Rome, Italy

86 Quebec Open – Montreal, QC

FIFTH

95 French Open – Paris, France

94 Goodwill Games – St. Petersburg, Russia

92 & 90 Czech Open – Prague, Czech Republic

90 Goodwill Games – Seattle, WA, USA

89 World Championships – Belgrade, Yugoslavia

87 World Championships – Essen, Germany

SEVENTH

96 German Open – Munich, Germany

95 & 86 Austrian Open – Leonding, Austria

94 French Open – Paris, France

91 World Championships – Barcelona, Spain

 Wrestling Bio: 

High School:  High School Record: 98-4

2x NY State Champ

2x Section 2 Champ

3x Class “A” Champ

1996 Elected to BHBL Wrestling “Hall of Excellence”

2007 Elected to Section 2 “Hall of Fame”

2011 Elected to BHBLHS “Athletic Hall of Fame”

College:  College Record: 63-17

1986 EIWA Champ

1986 Named EIWA “Freshman of the Year”

1987 NY State Champ

1989 EIWA Silver Medalist

2x NCAA Div. I National Qualifier

1989 NCAA Div. I “All American” 5th place