Robert Lee BERLAND

Bob Berland went to college at San Jose State where he was a two-time collegiate champion in 1981 and 1982. Berland won US titles in 1981-83 and 1986-87. He won a silver medal at the 1983 Pan American Games and a bronze medal that year at the World Championships.

Berland made the 1984 Olympic team despite having developed an infection in his right knee after arthroscopic surgery, and he had to have a second surgery to clean out the infection. This all occurred only a few months before the Los Angeles Olympics but Berland persevered and was able to qualify for the 1984 Games, where he won a silver medal. Berland’s recovery led him to be named by Black Belt Magazine as Judoka-of-the-Year.

Berland retired from competition after the Seoul Olympics. He had a business degree from San Jose State and later became a commodities trader with the Chicago Mercantile Exchange.