Steve Cohen (judoka) explained

Full Name:Steven Jay Cohen
Birth Place:Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
Headercolor:lightsteelblue
Show-Medals:yes

Steven Jay "Steve" Cohen (born August 29, 1955) is an American former Olympic judoka and Olympic coach. He won the US National Judo Championships in 1974, 1975, 1977, 1985, and 1987. He won a gold medal at the 1973 Maccabiah Games, a bronze medal at the 1975 Pan American Games, and a silver medal at the 1986 Goodwill Games.

Early and personal life

Cohen was born in Chicago, Illinois, and is Jewish.[1] He taught judo at his own club, and became CEO of food ingredient company Z-Trim Holdings.[2] He lives in Grayslake, Illinois.[3] Cohen's brother Irwin Cohen and two nephews Aaron Cohen and Richard are all accomplished judoka.

Judo career

Cohen is a 7th-degree black belt.[2]

He won a gold medal at the 1973 Maccabiah Games in Israel in judo, at 176 pounds.[4] [5]

He won the US National Judo Championships in 1974 (U93), 1975 (U80), 1977 (U78), 1985 (O95), and 1987 (O95).[6] [7]

Cohen won the bronze medal in the -80kg division at the 1975 Pan American Games.[8]

In 1986 he won a silver medal at the Goodwill Games as a heavyweight.[2]

He came out of retirement and competed as a member of the 1988 Olympic Judo team for the United States as a heavyweight at 33 years of age, and came in 13th.[2] He competed in the 95kg division.[9]

Coaching career

He was the coach of the Olympic team in 2000.[2] [10] [11] [12]

He now coaches judo.[3] Among his students have been five-time US champion Aaron Cohen, three-time Olympian and Pam American Games bronze medalist Colleen Rosensteel, two-time Olympian and Pan American Games bronze medalist Martin Boonzaayer, junior world champion and two-time Olympian Hillary Wolf, and Olympic silver medalist Robert Berland.[3]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Renowned Olympian, judo coach from Buffalo Grove dies. August 28, 2012. Daily Herald.
  2. https://olympics.com/en/athletes/steven-jay-cohen "Steven Jay COHEN,"
  3. Web site: Martial Arts Training Legend: Steve Cohen. Cohen Brothers Training Centers.
  4. Web site: Black Belt. December 26, 1973. Active Interest Media, Inc.. Google Books.
  5. Web site: Black Belt. October 26, 1974. Active Interest Media, Inc.. Google Books.
  6. Web site: Steve Cohen Judoka. JudoInside.
  7. Web site: Winners of Individual and Team Championships During 1977. December 18, 1977. The New York Times.
  8. Web site: Steve Cohen . Judoinside . September 12, 2016.
  9. Web site: US Olympic Judo Teams 1964 to present .
  10. Web site: Irwin Cohen Judo Olympian and Judo Icon Passes Away . https://web.archive.org/web/20120828230115/http://www2.teamusa.org/USA-Judo/Features/2012/August/27/Irwin-Cohen-Judo-Olympian-and-Judo-Icon-Passes-Away.aspx . dead . August 28, 2012 .
  11. Steven Cohen . https://web.archive.org/web/20200418101127/https://www.sports-reference.com/olympics/athletes/co/steven-cohen-1.html . dead . April 18, 2020 . September 12, 2016.
  12. Web site: Obit of the Day: Hey Judoka . September 12, 2016.