Nick Delpopolo
2 x USA Judo olympian
Born in the former Yugoslavia, Nick Delpopolo spent his early years in a small orphanage in Montenegro, prior to being adopted by the Delpopolo family and moving with them to the United States in his 21st month. Nick’s father enrolled him in his first Judo classes under Olympic coach Yoshisada “Yone” Yonezuka at just five (5) years old.
Already showcasing himself to be a natural in the sport, at 12 years old, Nick’s family sent him to upstate New York to live and train under Olympic Silver Medalist Jason Morris, where he stayed for two years before returning home to start high school. Nick joined the high school wrestling team and wrestled for two years before suffering a career altering injury during practice. After a long recovery and ensuing poor teenage behavioral choices, Nick’s father sent his son back to Jason Morris; under whose tutelage, Nick was able to get his life on track and return to the sport he loved in earnest.
Nick moved to Boston to train under 1999 World Champion Jimmy Pedro in 2008, for his last year of Junior eligibility. Nick finished his Junior Judo career with 22 Junior National Titles.
2010 became a career defining year for Nick, as he rose in the World Rankings from #99 to #16 and competed in his first (Senior) World Championships. Subsequently Nick made the US Olympic Team in 2012 and 2016, unfortunately with Covid throwing a hiccup to the world and his homestate of New Jersey in 2020.
December 2022 brought Nick to teach his second seminar at the Fifty/50 Martial Arts Academy, where he enjoyed his time so much that he decided to return for a training visit a few weeks later, deepening his relationship with the team and leading to his eventual decision to relocate to the Fifty/50 Academy setting the stage for his next phase of life.
Nick is currently in what may be his last big competitive run and is hopeful to make a 3rd Olympic team in 2024. While training and competing himself, Nick has mentored and coached multiple nationally ranked athletes and he looks forward to imparting the many technical, strategic, and life lessons he has learned on his path towards the next generation of Judoka in the Washington DC Judo Community.
A brief summary of Nick’s accomplishments:
2x USA Judo Olympian