Grace JIVIDEN

Grace Jividen was a judoka who competed for the USA at the 1992 Barcelona Olympics, the first time judo was an Olympic medal sport for women. She later won a bronze medal in half-heavyweight at the 1995 Pan American Games. Because women did not compete in Olympic judo until 1992, Jividen came to her Olympic career somewhat late. By then she had been on the podium at the USA Nationals for 11 straight years (1981-91), and she would add podium finishes in 1994, 1996, 2000, and 2004. She was named Outstanding Player at the USA Nationals in 1985 and 2003. She also won titles at the US Olympic Festival in 1986, 1989-90, and 1994.

Jividen went to college at Canisius College and she was named the outstanding player at the collegiate nationals in 1983, 1984, and 1985. Internationally she won 43 medals overall, with 20 international titles, including golds and the 2000 Master World Championships, and the 2001 Police and Fireman World Games.

Jividen went into coaching, establishing her own club, Gracie Judo Club, in Littleton, Colorado in 2009. She coached internationally beginning in 2007. Jividen also served on the Board of Directors for USA Judo from 2004-08.