Personal information | |
---|---|
Nationality | American |
Died | March 17, 2014 |
Home town | Brooklyn, New York |
Occupation | Judoka |
Sport | |
Sport | Judo |
Achievements and titles | |
Regional finals | New York Judo gold medal (1965) |
National finals | two silver medals and three bronze medals in the US National Championships |
Profile at external databases | |
JudoInside.com | 48093 |
Updated on 15 August 2022. |
Bernard Lepkofker (d. March 17, 2014) was a competitive judoka from Brooklyn, New York, in the United States.[1][2] He was a two-time gold medalist at the Maccabiah Games in Israel, won a New York Judo gold medal, and twice won silver medals in the US national championships.
Lepkofker was raised in a Jewish orphanage, the Pride of Judea Children's Home, and was Jewish.[3][4] He attended Thomas Jefferson High School,[5] with an initial goal to attend Dayton University.[6] Lepkofker earned a basketball scholarship for college, attending the University of Rio Grande in Ohio, but left after two years.[7]
Lepkofker joined the Air Force, and did basic training at F.E. Warren Air Force Base in Wyoming.[3] While in the Air Force he learned judo while stationed in Japan, training at the Kodokan school.[7][3]
Lepkofker won two silver medals and three bronze medals in the US National Championships during the years 1968, 1974, 1975, 1978, and 1979.[8] In the 1968 National Championships, he lost to future Olympic bronze medalist Allan Coage.[9] Lepkofker was the 1965 New York Judo Gold Medalist.[10]
Lepkofker was the champion of the 1965 Maccabiah Games in Israel, and a competitor in the 1969 Maccabiah Games.[11][12] At the 1973 Maccabiah Games, he won a gold medal in the heavyweight competition.[13] He also unsuccessfully attempted to make the US Olympic Team.[14]
Lepkofker stood 6'4 and weighed 240 lbs in his prime.[12] He was also one half of the Judo Twins with his brother, Robert Lepkofker.[12] He was a member of the New York Athletic Club.[15]
Lepkofker was a Korean War veteran.[16] He and his brother opened up a judo school in Brooklyn, the American Kodokan Judo School, and upon gaining popularity they appeared on The Johnny Carson Show.[7]
Lepkofker died on March 17, 2014.[16]