BGBilly GaviganDiscuss an engagement

2026 U.S. Open Champion · USA Judo · Coaching

Four decades after the first medal, the work continues.

Billy Gavigan is the 2026 U.S. Open M5 / -81 kg champion, a USA Judo national champion, two-year No. 1 divisional athlete, international medalist, coach and advocate for lifelong participation in judo.

2026 season · Updated September 16

Next stop: Worlds.
The work travels with me.

Billy heads to the 2026 Veterans World Championships on Thursday, September 17. After silver in M5 / −81 kg in Houston, the next chapter is the world stage—carrying the preparation, the lessons and the support of his judo community.

Billy Gavigan in his blue judo gi during the 2026 competition season
Still competing. Still learning. Still moving forward.
  1. Houston, Texas

    Silver · M5 / −81 kg

    A strong tournament with significant wins and competitive matches to build on before Worlds. Billy confirms silver in the M5 / −81 kg division; the Smoothcomp event results are linked below.

  2. Veterans Judo USA

    One of eight sponsored athletes

    The organization’s announcement names Billy among eight athletes receiving sponsorship and funding. Thank you to the organizers and supporters helping athletes continue on the world stage.

  3. World Championships

    Heading to Worlds Thursday.

    Departure is Thursday, September 17, 2026, confirmed by Billy. Registration is complete. The focus: compete with purpose, represent the United States and keep moving forward.

Houston event results ↗Explore the competition record →
Veterans Judo USA sponsorship announcement naming Billy Gavigan among eight athletes
Veterans Judo USA · Sponsorship announcement supplied by Billy. Visit the organization ↗
Billy Gavigan competing in blue, with Valiant Photography watermark retained
Competition photograph · Valiant Photography. Photographer’s watermark retained.
Media & partnership inquiries →Explore Billy’s development work →
Billy Gavigan on the gold medal podium at the 2025 USA Judo National Championships

2024–2026

National titles. Another U.S. Open gold.

In 2024 Billy finished No. 1 on USA Judo's veterans year-end roster at M4 / 81 kg, won U.S. Open and President's Cup gold, earned European Cup bronze, and finished ninth at the World Championships Veterans in Las Vegas.

In 2025 he moved to the top of the M4 / 90 kg year-end roster and won the USA Judo national championship. In July 2026 he returned to the U.S. Open and won gold in M5 / -81 kg.

2026 U.S. OpenGold · M5 / -81
2025 resultNational Champion
2025 rankingNo. 1 · M4 / 90
2024 Worlds9th · Las Vegas

Tournament record.

Results are drawn from official USA Judo and International Judo Federation records where available, supplemented by the athlete's competition and podium archive.

YearEventResultDivision / note
2026Veterans Open HoustonSilver · M5 / −81 kgHouston · Smoothcomp results linked
2026U.S. Open Judo ChampionshipsGold · M5 / -81 kgU.S. Open champion
2026USA Judo Senior National ChampionshipsVeterans bronzeCompetition record
2025USA Judo National ChampionshipsGold · M4 / 90 kgNational champion
2025USA Judo year-end rosterNo. 1 · M4 / 90 kgNo. 3 · M4 / 81 kg
2025U.S. Open Judo ChampionshipsBronze · M4 / 90 kgBronze · M4 / 81 kg
2025European Veterans / Veterans OpenBronze / GoldCompetition archive
2024World Championships Veterans · Las VegasNinth · M4 / 81 kgRepresented the United States
2024USA Judo year-end rosterNo. 1 · M4 / 81 kgOfficial published roster
2024U.S. Open / President's CupGold / GoldM4 / 81 kg
2024Hamburg Veteran European CupBronze · -81 kgOfficial IJF result
2023World Championships Veterans · Abu DhabiTop 16 · -81 kgInternational return

Division notation follows the published event or roster. The 2024 Worlds ninth-place result reflects Billy's official competition record and athlete record; the linked IJF event is provided for championship context.

From Troy to Japan—and back.

The recent medals are one chapter in a training history that began in New York, continued during Marine service in Japan and returned to international competition decades later.

Troy Judo Club

Began formal judo training in Troy, New York, under Sensei Robert Fountain and Sensei Kudo, using judo to strengthen an already competitive wrestling base.

Camp Fuji and Shodan

While serving as a Marine in Japan, trained and competed with the Japanese Ground Self-Defense Force judo team at Takigahara Garrison and was awarded Shodan in 1998.

Nidan to Sandan

Advanced to Nidan in 2001 and was promoted to Sandan on May 4, 2024, according to the submitted judo biography and promotion record.

International return

Returned to the Veterans World Championships in Abu Dhabi, then built a multi-season run across USA Judo nationals, U.S. Opens, European events and the Las Vegas World Championships.

Coaching and community

The medal is personal. The mission is larger.

Billy's current judo work includes coaching and club development through JMJC Judo Beaufort / Fusion Grappling Club and advocacy for adult athletes through Veterans Judo USA.

The goal is practical: create safe entry points for newer athletes, sustain training and competition for experienced judoka, and build the camps, tournaments, coaching and relationships that keep people on the mat for life.

Fusion Grappling Club / JMJC Judo Beaufort↗JMJC / Fusion on Facebook↗Fusion Grappling Club on Instagram↗Veterans Judo USA↗Shintaro Higashi Show interview↗
Billy Gavigan competing in a blue judo gi

Official result sources.

2026 U.S. Open Judo Championships results↗International Judo Federation athlete profile↗JudoTV athlete and event record↗2024 World Championships Veterans · Las Vegas↗