Bernard Lepkofker (d. March 17, 2014) was a competitive judoka from Brooklyn, New York, in the United States.[1][2] He was a two-time gold medalist at the Maccabiah Games in Israel, won a New York Judo gold medal, and twice won silver medals in the US national championships.
| Personal information | |
|---|---|
| Nationality | American |
| Died | March 17, 2014 |
| Home town | Brooklyn, New York |
| Occupation | Judoka |
| Sport | |
| Sport | Judo |
| Achievements and titles | |
| Regional finals | New York Judo gold medal (1965) |
| National finals | two silver medals and three bronze medals in the US National Championships |
| Profile at external databases | |
| JudoInside.com | 48093 |
| Updated on 15 August 2022 | |
Early life
editLepkofker was raised in a Jewish orphanage, the Pride of Judea Children's Home, and was Jewish.[3][4] He attended Thomas Jefferson High School,[5] with an initial goal to attend Dayton University.[6] Lepkofker earned a basketball scholarship for college, attending the University of Rio Grande in Ohio, but left after two years.[7]
Judo career
editLepkofker joined the Air Force, and did basic training at F.E. Warren Air Force Base in Wyoming.[3] While in the Air Force he learned judo while stationed in Japan, training at the Kodokan school.[7][3]
Lepkofker won two silver medals and three bronze medals in the US National Championships during the years 1968, 1974, 1975, 1978, and 1979.[8] In the 1968 National Championships, he lost to future Olympic bronze medalist Allan Coage.[9] Lepkofker was the 1965 New York Judo Gold Medalist.[10]
Lepkofker was the champion of the 1965 Maccabiah Games in Israel, and a competitor in the 1969 Maccabiah Games.[11][12] At the 1973 Maccabiah Games, he won a gold medal in the heavyweight competition.[13] He also unsuccessfully attempted to make the US Olympic Team.[14]
Lepkofker stood 6'4 and weighed 240 lbs in his prime.[12] He was also one half of the Judo Twins with his brother, Robert Lepkofker.[12] He was a member of the New York Athletic Club.[15]
Personal life
editLepkofker was a Korean War veteran.[16] He and his brother opened up a judo school in Brooklyn, the American Kodokan Judo School, and upon gaining popularity they appeared on The Johnny Carson Show.[7]
Lepkofker died on March 17, 2014.[16]
References
edit- ^ "Judo Expert Has His Pupils Flipping". The New York Times.
- ^ "Women's sports and Judo". Jstandard. Archived from the original on March 18, 2015. Retrieved May 7, 2015.
- ^ a b c "Oceanside judo pro teaches self-defense". Herald Community Newspapers.
- ^ "Growing Judo" (PDF). Usja-judo.org. Archived from the original (PDF) on July 5, 2016. Retrieved May 7, 2015.
- ^ "They Take Heed". The Brooklyn Daily Eagle. January 11, 1952. p. 18. Retrieved May 7, 2015.
- ^ "1952" (PDF). Brooklyn Eagle. Retrieved May 7, 2015.
- ^ a b c Costello, Alex (February 26, 2009). "Oceanside judo pro teaches self-defense". Long Island Herald. Retrieved May 7, 2015.
- ^ "Bernard Lepkofker, Judoka". Judoinside.com. Retrieved May 7, 2015.
- ^ "September 1968". Black Belt. September 1968. Retrieved May 7, 2015.
- ^ "July 1965". Black Belt. July 1965. Retrieved May 7, 2015.
- ^ "United States Maccabiah Team in Israel"
- ^ a b c Friedland, Stan (2007). The Judo Twins. ISBN 9781463482893. Retrieved May 7, 2015.
- ^ "U. S., ISRAEL WIN 12 MEDALS EACH". The New York Times. July 11, 1973.
- ^ "November 1972". Black Belt. November 1972. Retrieved May 7, 2015.
- ^ "Issuu". The Winged Foot Magazine by New York Athletic Club.
- ^ a b "R8/9, Very Short Notice - Bernard Lepkofker, USAF, Korean War Era Veteran". Patriot Guard Riders of NY. March 21, 2014. Archived from the original on April 2, 2015. Retrieved May 7, 2015.