Neil Adams (judoka)

Neil Adrian Adams, (born 27 September 1958 in Rugby, Warwickshire) is an English judoka who won numerous Olympic and World Championship medals in judo representing Great Britain.
Early life.
Adams was educated at Myton School in Warwick. Adams' brother was the late professional wrestling star Chris Adams, who himself had a successful career in judo before turning to pro wrestling in 1978.
Judo competition career.
Adams was the first British male to win a World title, and the first British male to simultaneously hold a world title and a European title. Other achievements include a gold medal at the 1981 World Judo Championships in Maastricht, the Netherlands, plus silver medals in the 1980 and 1984 Summer Olympic Games and the 1983 Judo World Championships. Adams was also five-time European Champion. On 18 December 2018 he was promoted by the International Judo Federation to kudan - 9th Dan at the age of 60.
He was presented with his certificate of grade (at the Paris Grand Slam tournament) on 10 February 2019 by the federation's president, Marius Vizer.
Coaching career.
Since retiring, Adams has run a coach education business called Neil Adams Effective Fighting, as well as teaching Judo around the world.
He was national coach of VJF judo in Belgium. He then became head coach of the Welsh Judo Association, a position he took on after being asked to take up the role by close friend and chairman of the association Keven Williams, a position he resigned in March 2009.
Personal life.
Having in the 1980s been engaged to British Olympic swimming star Sharron Davies, Adams, married Alison Walker of Burford, and together had a son. Divorcing in 2000, Neil met former Canadian Olympic Judoka Niki Jenkins at the Sydney Olympic Games and were married in 2002. The couple have two daughters Brooke and Taylor, and the family lives in Rugby.
In popular culture.
Adams was so fondly regarded in Japan that he was given the nickname "Happo Bigin" ("Everyone's friend").
A canine version of Neil Adams made a 'guest appearance' in episode 44 of the online comic series Dog Judo
On 2 December 1983, he was one of the guests on the U.K. children's programme "Crackerjack (TV series)" together with Lynsey de Paul and Kim Wilde.
Adams was also a contestant on the BBC TV series "The Adventure Game" in 1983
He is now a commentator for the IJF.