Quick Facts
Biography
Neil Adrian Adams, MBE (born 27 September 1958 in Rugby, Warwickshire) is an English judoka who won numerous Olympic and World Championship medals in judo representing Great Britain.
Early life
Adams was educated at Myton School in Warwick. Adams' brother was the late professional wrestling star Chris Adams, who himself had a successful career in judo before turning to pro wrestling in 1978.
Judo competition career
Adams was the first British male to win a World title, and the first British male to simultaneously hold a world title and a European title. Other achievements include a gold medal at the 1981 World Judo 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. On 20 September 2008 he was promoted to 8th Dan at the age of 49.
Coaching career
Since retiring, Adams has run a coach education business called Neil Adams Effective Fighting, as well as teaching Judo around the world.
He was national coach of VJF judo in Belgium. He then became head coach of the Welsh Judo Association, a position he took on after being asked to take up the role by close friend and chairman of the association Keven Williams, a position he resigned in March 2009.
Personal life
Having in the 1980s been together with British Olympic swimming star Sharron Davies, Adams has since the 1990s been married to former Canadian Olympic Judoka Niki Jenkins. The couple have two daughters, and the family lives in Coventry.
Adams in Popular Culture
Adams was so fondly regarded in Japan that he was given the nickname Happo Bigin (Everyone's friend).
A canine version of Neil Adams made a 'guest appearance' in episode 44 of the online comic series Dog Judo