Quick Facts
Biography
Yoshito Vince Tamura is a former international competitor in judo.
Judo career
Tamura represented the United States in the first Judo World Championships in 1956 and served as a referee in the 1964 Olympics for judo. Tamura won the 1954, 1956, and 1959 US National Championships in judo placing second and third in 1957 and 1958, respectively. He continued to compete into the 1970s.
Tamura had a brother named Mas Tamura who was promoted by Jigaro Kano to Yondan inspiring Tamura into judo. By the time he died in 2010, Vince Tamura was ranked 9th Dan.
Personal life
Tamura served in the US Army in World War II and was a descendent of the Taira Clan. He co-authored a book Common Sense Self Defense and was also an instructor of Heike-Ryu Jiu Jitsu.
Tamura had a wife Yuri and two sons Bob and David Tamura. Tamura was the youngest of 7 sons and 4 daughters.