USA Judo is mourning the loss of Jack Hatton, a rising star in the sport expected to compete in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics in the 81kg division. Hatton had turned 24 just four days prior.
The timing of Hatton’s death has been baffling to those closest to him, including his coach, Jimmy Pedro. Pedro commented that for the first time, Hatton was financially stable—one of only five judoka to be receiving a stipend from USA Judo. Hatton also coached at Saratoga Judo, Inc. in Greenfield, NY. However, close friend Tony Sangimino cites Hatton’s many years of financial struggle as being a factor.