Paul Maruyama

Who is Paul Maruyama?

Professor Paul Kuniaki Maruyama was a member of the first American team to compete in judo in the Summer Olympics. Judo was first included in the 1964 Summer Olympics in Tokyo.

Maruyama is a graduate of San José State University. He was the United States national champion in the 154 pound weight class in 1966, 1970 and 1975, and placed second in the open weight class in 1966. At the 1964 Summer Olympics he was eliminated in the quarter-finals of the lightweight competition after losing his fight to the upcoming gold medalist Takehide Nakatani. He was the coach of the United States judo team for the 1980 Summer Olympics, which the United States boycotted, and for the 1984 Summer Olympics.

Maruyama went on to teach martial arts and Japanese language at the United States Air Force Academy, and serves as president of the Japan-America Society of Southern Colorado. He now teaches Japanese language and Asian Studies at Colorado College. He is lifelong friends with former teammate, politician Ben Nighthorse Campbell.