Top American judoka Jack Hatton passed away, just 4 days after his 24th birthday.
Hatton recently competed at the Senior World Championships in Tokyo and was considered the best American judoka in this moment. It was his third World Championship. In August he finished fifth at the Pan American Games in Lima and was hoping to make the US Olympic team for Tokyo 2020. Hatton is from Manhattan and teaches judo Greenfield close to New York. “Judo Jack” was multiple American senior champion and he won two Pan American Opens in San Salvador in 2016 and Santiago in 2017. The American fighter captured a bronze medal at the Grand Prix in Zagreb in 2017 and silver at the Grand Prix in Antalya last year which was his best international performance.
The judo world was shocked to hear the sad news with some of its biggest names reacting on social media,
World Champion Sagi Muki is devastated by the sad news: “I am so sad to hear. Jack is one of the best USA Judoka and top athlete at the U81kg division. I’m so sad top hear this and I hope he is in a better place. I had a tough fight with him. My heart is broken.”
World finallist Matthias Casse reacts: “This is shocking and sad news! I knew Jack as a strong and promising young man who was always friendly and respectful.”
Olympic Champion Khasan Khalmurzaev: “I am in shock. Of course I remember Jack and my match against him. He was a very promsing athlete and I think he had a great future. It’s a pity. May he rest in peace. My condolences to his family.”
