Bernard Lepkofker

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Bernard Lepkofker was a former competitive judoka in the United States.[1] Lepkofker won a total of 2 silvers and 3 bronze medals in the US National Championships during the years 1968, 1974, 1975, 1978, and 1979.[2] In the 1968 National Championships, he lost to future Olympian Allan Coage.[3] Lepkofker was the 1965 New York Judo Gold Medalist,[4] as well as the champion of the 1965 Macabiah Games.[5] He has also unsuccessfully attempted to make the US Olympic Team.[6] Lepkofker stood 6'4 and weighed 240 lbs in his prime.[5] He was also one half of the Judo Twins with his brother, Robert Lepkofker.[5]

Personal life[]

Lepkofker was raised in a Jewish orphanage.[7] He attended Thomas Jefferson High School,[8] with an initial goal to attend Dayton University.[9] Lepkofker earned a basketball scholarship for college but left after 2 years.[10] He joined the Air Force, during which time he learned Judo.[10] Lepkofker was a Korean War Veteran.[11] He and his brother opened up a Judo school in Brooklyn, and upon gaining popularity they appeared on the Johnny Carson Show.[10]

Lepkofker died March 17, 2014.[11]

References[]

  1. ^ "Women's sports and Judo". Jstandard.com. Archived from the original on 2015-03-18. Retrieved 2015-05-07.
  2. ^ "Bernard Lepkofker, Judoka". Judoinside.com. Retrieved 2015-05-07.
  3. ^ "Black Belt September 1968". Google.com. September 1968. Retrieved 2015-05-07.
  4. ^ "Black Belt July 1965". Google.com. July 1965. Retrieved 2015-05-07.
  5. ^ a b c Friedland, Stan (26 December 2007). The Judo Twins. Google.com. ISBN 9781463482893. Retrieved 2015-05-07.
  6. ^ "Black Belt November 1972". Google.com. November 1972. Retrieved 2015-05-07.
  7. ^ "Growing Judo" (PDF). Usja-judo.org. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2016-07-05. Retrieved 2015-05-07.
  8. ^ "11 Jan 1952, Page 18". Retrieved 2015-05-07 – via Newspapers.com.
  9. ^ "Brooklyn Eagle, 1952" (PDF). Fultonhistory.com. Retrieved 2015-05-07.
  10. ^ a b c Costello, Alex (2009-02-26). "Oceanside judo pro teaches self-defense". LIHerald.com. Retrieved 2015-05-07.
  11. ^ a b "R8/9, Very Short Notice - Bernard Lepkofker, USAF, Korean War Era Veteran, Friday, 03/21/2014". Patriot Guard Riders of NY. Archived from the original on 2015-04-02. Retrieved 2015-05-07.
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