JUDO: Actor Bo Svenson Competes in USA Judo Masters National Championships

Nicole Jomantas - USA Judo April 20, 2009

USA Judo had a touch of Hollywood glamour on Saturday in San Diego when actor Bo Svenson (Pacific Palisades, Calif. / Sawtelle Judo Dojo) competed in his first judo tournament in more than 40 years. Svenson is a television and film actor, whose career has spanned more than 30 years and included the “Walking Tall” series as well as movies such as “Kill Bill 2” and “Speed 2.”

Svenson returned to the sport earlier this year with the goal of competing in the World Masters Championships this summer.

“Staying away from judo so long has been my life’s biggest regret,” Svenson said. “But I joined the Marines and was a disabled veteran who fought in the Korean War. And the entertainment industry has obviously kept me very busy.”

Svenson placed second in his 65-69-year-old 90kg division.

“I broke several ribs a few weeks ago, but I don’t believe in making excuses. I’m just getting back into the sport again and, God willing, I’ll be injury-free at the Worlds,” Svenson said.