Neil Adams (judoka)

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Competitor for United Kingdom
Medal record
Neil Adams (judoka)
Men's Judo
Olympic Games
Silver	1980 Moscow	Lightweight
Silver	1984 Los Angeles	Half-Middleweight

Neil Adrian Adams, MBE (born in Rugby, Warwickshire on September 27, 1958) is a British judoka who won numerous Olympic and Judo World Championship medals in judo. His achievements include a gold medal at the 1981 World 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.^[1]

He was the first British male ever to win a World title, and the first British male ever to simultaneously hold a world title and a European title. He currently holds the grade of 7th degree black belt.

Adams was so fondly regarded in Japan that he was given the nickname Happo Bigin (Everyone's friend).^[2]

Adams now runs a corporate health service as well as teaching Judo around the world. He is a brother to the late professional wrestling star Chris Adams, who himself had a successful career in judo before turning to pro wrestling in 1978. He is married to Nikki Adams (Jenkins), a former Canadian Olympian in judo.