Sandy North: A Lifetime of Resilience and Achievement in Judo and Beyond

As we approach the 2024 Veteran World Judo Championships in Las Vegas, anticipation builds for the return of seasoned competitors. Among them is Sandy North, an athlete whose judo journey began at the age of eight in Millburn, New Jersey. Under the guidance of Mamoru Shimamoto, a member of Japan's elite Nichidai team, North’s foundation in judo was established with discipline, skill and relentless determination. This passion for martial arts set the stage for a lifetime of international competition and achievements.

North’s early years in judo were molded by the mentorship of Sensei Shimamoto, who, alongside Sensi Yonezuka, laid the groundwork for North’s competitive drive.

"My inspiration was started by my sensei Mamoru Shimamoto, who always pushed me to compete strong as he did in Japan," North shared.

Encouraged to give his best, North transitioned smoothly into other combat sports, including wrestling and sambo. Starting in the seventh grade, North wrestled through his university years at Farleigh Dickinson University in Madison, New Jersey, an experience that fortified his mental and physical endurance.

In 1983, he began competing in sambo, earning his first major accolade with a silver medal in the 68 kg category at the Sports Festival in Colorado Springs. Over the years, North competed on multiple U.S. teams in both Senior and World Master Sambo Championships, taking home numerous medals.

North has proudly represented the United States at the World Maccabiah Games in Israel, competing in 1985, 1989 and 1993, and winning both individual and team medals. Most recently, North served as head coach in 2017 and assistant coach in 2022, where he not only led his team but also competed in the Veterans Division, winning gold in both years.

A mainstay in the judo masters’ circuit, North has participated in nearly every major judo master’s tournament in the world, starting with the first World Masters Athlete Judo Championships in Welland, Ontario, where he captured gold. Over the years, he’s added to his extensive medal collection with impressive performances in Tokyo, Vienna, Sao Paulo, Montreal and Budapest, consistently placing in the top three across continents.

North’s journey hasn’t been without challenges. From 2015 to 2019, he battled severe arthritis, enduring pain that limited his mobility. After bilateral total hip replacements in early 2021, North remarkably returned to competition, winning bronze in Lisbon just eight months post-surgery. A year later, he claimed gold in Poland, followed by a bronze in Abu Dhabi in 2023. Now, North eagerly prepares to compete on home soil in Las Vegas, a testament to his resilience and dedication to the sport.

Reflecting on his lifetime of competition, North encourages young athletes to embrace every opportunity: "Push yourself and compete in as many tournaments as possible. Try to make as many teams as possible and enjoy each experience with your teammates. Each competition adds to your resume of life."