There are actually two athletic moments in my career which stand out in my mind as my greatest achievements. The first was something that took me over 20 years to achieve and was something that I had dreamt about ever since I was six years old – winning an Olympic Medal. Well, at the 1996 Olympic Games in Atlanta, in front of all of my family, friends, and pretty much everybody and anybody who had made a contribution in some way to my judo career, I was able to make my dream a reality and won the Bronze medal in the -71kg weight division in judo. This feat not only brought my wife to tears, but also my father, Jim, who had been my coach ever since the day I started the sport. I will never forget the hug he and I exchanged as I walked off the mat that day after winning the bronze medal. All of the years of hard work, sacrifice, dedication, and training finally paid off!!

Then, at the 1999 World Championships in Brimingham, England, I had the performance of my life and came away with my other proudest moment – winning the World Judo Championships in the -73kg division. Everything seemed to come together for me that day and I felt better than I ever had in my entire life. I was ecstatic because it was only the second time in world judo history that the American national anthem would be played at an awards ceremony at the World judo championships. Also, I could now say that at one point in my life I was the “Best judo player on the planet.” Being World Champion is the pinnacle that every athlete hopes to achieve, and I longed for this moment my entire career. I am glad that I was one of the fortunate ones who was able to reach his full potential and achieve his dream.

All the sacrifices were well worth it, and if I had to do it all over again, I wouldn’t hesitate for one second to give it a shot. Maybe that is why I am trying to make one last run at that elusive Olympic Gold that I know I am capable of winning. On to Athens I go in 2004.