George Uchida
{{Short description|American male judoka and coach}}
George Uchida (July 22, 1925 – August 6, 2004){{Cite web |title=Passing of George Uchida Sensei – United States Judo Federation |url=https://www.usjf.com/2004/08/passing-of-george-uchida-sensei/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231201104237/https://www.usjf.com/2004/08/passing-of-george-uchida-sensei/ |archive-date=2023-12-01 |website=www.usjf.com}} was a judoka, wrestler, author, and coach.{{Cite web |last=GRYGIEL |first=CHRIS |date=June 4, 2009 |title=George Uchida, 1924-2009: Soldier, spy, artist, father, friend |url=https://www.seattlepi.com/seattlenews/article/George-Uchida-1924-2009-Soldier-spy-artist-1304316.php |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220117193454/https://www.seattlepi.com/seattlenews/article/George-Uchida-1924-2009-Soldier-spy-artist-1304316.php |archive-date=2022-01-17 |website=seattlepi.com}} Uchida was the brother of San Jose Judo Coach Yosh Uchida.{{Cite web|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=bdkDAAAAMBAJ&q=George+Uchida+judo&pg=PA40|title=Black Belt|date=January 22, 1962|publisher=Active Interest Media, Inc.|via=Google Books}} Uchida and other family members were sent to the Poston internment camp during World War II, following the signing of Executive Order 9066.{{Cite book| last = Okimoto | first = Paul M. | title = Oh! Poston, Why Don't You Cry for Me?: And Other Stops Along the Way | publisher = Xlibris | year = 2011 | page = 59 |isbn = 978-1465395917}}{{cite web | title=Yosh Uchida| website = tessaku.com | date = 14 March 2020 |url=https://www.tessaku.com/oral-histories/2020/3/3/yosh-uchida| accessdate=2021-05-27}} He later served in the US Army in the field of military intelligence. He got key intelligence about Russian involvement in the Korean War. Upon his return he enrolled in San Jose State University majoring in physical education.{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=fetRAAAAQBAJ&q=George+Uchida&pg=PT59|title=Oh! Poston, Why Don't You Cry for Me?: And Other Stops Along the Way|first=Paul M.|last=Okimoto|date=December 15, 2011|publisher=Xlibris Corporation|isbn=9781465395924|via=Google Books}}
Competition
Uchida was a bronze medalist in the 1954 US National Championship for the sport of Judo.{{Cite web|url=https://www.judoinside.com/judoka/48312/George_Uchida/judo-results|title=George Uchida, Judoka, JudoInside|website=www.judoinside.com}} He wrestled at San Jose State in 1956, 1957, and 1958.
Coaching
In 1962, he was selected to be the Wrestling Coach at the University of California at Berkley. He hoped to establish Judo in the school as well.{{Cite web|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=bdkDAAAAMBAJ&q=George+Uchida&pg=PA40|title=Black Belt|date=January 22, 1962|publisher=Active Interest Media, Inc.|via=Google Books}} By 1972 he served as the Olympic Coach for the US Judo Olympic Team.{{Cite web|title=Kent Pe Teacher, 72, Claims Bias -- Man Has Been Investigated, Suspended {{!}} The Seattle Times|url=https://archive.seattletimes.com/archive/?date=19970117&slug=2519200|access-date=2021-03-22|website=archive.seattletimes.com}} He also served as the Coach for the US Pan American Team.{{Cite web|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=p84DAAAAMBAJ&q=George+Uchida+judo&pg=PA11|title=Black Belt|date=November 22, 1970|publisher=Active Interest Media, Inc.|via=Google Books}} He also served as the head coach for the National High School Championships in Judo.{{Cite web|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=b9oDAAAAMBAJ&q=George+Uchida&pg=PA48|title=Black Belt|date=July 22, 1967|publisher=Active Interest Media, Inc.|via=Google Books}}
Author
Uchida wrote Judo Contest Rules for the Amateur Athletic Union Judo Handbook.{{Cite web |url=http://www.aikido-shobukan.org/books/View.aspx?id=361 |title=Aikido Shobukan Dojo |access-date=2021-03-22 |archive-date=2016-03-04 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304094914/http://www.aikido-shobukan.org/books/View.aspx?id=361 |url-status=dead }} He also co wrote Fundamentals of Judo. In his later years he would be an IJF Level A referee.{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=MJ6fveyLZ28C&q=George+Uchida+judo&pg=PT135|title=Judo Heart and Soul|first=Hayward|last=Nishioka|date=March 22, 2000|publisher=Black Belt Communications|isbn=9780897501378|via=Google Books}}
References
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External links
- {{Sports links}}
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Category:American military personnel of Japanese descent
Category:Sports coaches from California
Category:Japanese-American internees