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Maureen Braziel
Inducted 2021
Sensei Maureen began studying judo in 1964, at age 19. She trained under Sensei Kiyoshi Shiina in Brooklyn, NY until he closed his dojo. She also trained in Japan for six weeks.
In 1984, Sensei Maureen Braziel, Sensei Rena (Rusty) Kanokogi, and three other female judoka successfully sued the US Olympic Committee for discriminatory practices against female judoka. This historic New York State Division of Human Rights verdict resulted in the inclusion of Women’s Judo in the 1988 Olympics.
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Competitive Achievements
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First Women’s Pan American Judo Championships
1977 Open Gold
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© 2021, USJF all rights reserved
© 2021, USJF all rights reserved
© 2021, USJF all rights reserved
© 2021, USJF all rights reserved
© 2021, USJF all rights reserved
© 2021, USJF all rights reserved
British Open Judo Championships
1972 +72 kg Silver
Open Bronze
1976 +72 kg Silver
Open Gold
This was the first time a non-British woman won gold in the Open division.
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© 2021, USJF all rights reserved
© 2021, USJF all rights reserved
1977 +72 kg Bronze
1979 +72 kg Silver
Swiss Open Judo Championships
1975 Open Gold
United States National Sports Festival
1981 -72 kg Silver Open Silver
1982 -72 kg Gold
1983 -72 kg Bronze
US Open Judo Championships:
1977 +72 kg Silver
Open Gold
1982 Open Bronze
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A.A.U. Judo Championships (Former name for USA Judo) National Championships:
1974–1977 Open Gold
1974, 1976–1977 Grand Champion
The First Women’s AAU Judo Championships were held in 1974, in Phoenix,
Arizona.
© 2021, USJF all rights reserved
© 2021, USJF all rights reserved
© 2021, USJF all rights reserved
East Coast Championship
1967–1977 Heavy Gold
Empire State Games
1978–1982 Open Gold
Awards
Yudanshakai: N.Y. Judo Association (former name of Hudson Judo Yudanshakai) – Outstanding Performance at 1974 A.A.U. Judo Championships
A.A.U: Metropolitan A.A.U. – Outstanding Athlete 1975 (This was for an athlete in any sport.)
Nanka Judo Yudanshakai: 2013 Outstanding Judo Award
National: 1977 Black Belt Inspirational Award (first time given to a woman)
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Coaching History
USA Judo certified International Coach
1982–2012 Head Instructor and Coach – Polytechnic Institute of New York University.
Sensei Maureen built and coached a collegiate Judo team for 30 years.
1984 USA Women’s Judo Team Coach – Canada Cup
1985 United States Sports Festival Women’s Coach
© 2021, USJF, all rights reserved
© 2021, USJF, all rights reserved
© 2021, USJF, all rights reserved
© 2021, USJF, all rights reserved
© 2021, USJF, all rights reserved
© 2021, USJF, all rights reserved
Tournament Referee
1974–1989 East Coast Championships
1985–1990 Eastern Judo Association Collegiate Championships
1997–2005 New York State Championships
1987–2000 Hudson Promotional Shiai
2000–2005 Tech Invitational
2000–2005 Cranford Invitational
Program Administrator
1986–1989 President, Metropolitan Collegiate Judo Association
1987–1989 Secretary, Eastern Collegiate Judo Association
1987–2012 Member, Hudson Judo Yudanshakai Board of Examiners
1996–2012 Hudson Judo Yudanshakai Promotion Secretary
2001–2005 New York State Judo, Inc. Public Relations
2009–2012 New York State Judo, Inc. Secretary
Sensei Maureen moved to Nevada in 2012. Now a member of Nanka Yudanshakai, she continues to teach and develop Judo as a sensei at the Las Vegas Martial Arts Academy. This Judo pioneer also became President of USA Judo Class “B” member Nevada Judo Association in 2019, and she continues to revitalize that organization as she grows Judo in her capacity as a retired educator and sports administrator.
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