John Jayne

Jayne was born and raised in London to an American father and a Bulgarian mother, giving him triple citizenship. He took his first judo class at the Budokwai in Chelsea at age 3 and went on to train at Moberly Stars Judo in Queen's Park.^[5][4] Growing up in London representing the Moberly Stars Judo Club he set an all time British record by winning the British Judo Association National Age Banded Championships ten times.^[6]

He represented Great Britain until 2013. In 2013 he was Cadet National Champion in three countries – USA, Great Britain and Bulgaria; and, representing the United States, was 2013 World/Open European Sambo Champion – Cadets at +84 kg in Riga, Latvia.^[7] Also in 2013 he was a Bronze Medalist at the EYOF (European Youth Olympics Festival) at -90 kg in Utrecht, Netherlands.^[8] In addition, in 2014, Jayne placed 7th at USAW Junior Greco Nationals.^[9] In 2017 he was U21 Pan American Champion in Cancun and Senior US National Champion in Salt Lake City, both at -100 kg.^[10] He received the USJA 2017 Male Athlete of the Year Award.^[11]

Jayne competed in Sambo events, representing the United States, between 2013 and 2016. In 2013 he won the World/Open European Cadet Sambo Championship.^[12] In 2016 he won the senior USA Sambo National Championship in Joliet, Illinois,^[13] and he won Bronze at the Senior 2016 Sambo World Cup “Kharlampiev Memorial” in Moscow, Russia,^[14] both at -90 kg.

Jayne competed in Judo events in the United States between 2007 and 2017. At the 45th USJF Junior National Judo Championships in Chicago, Illinois, in July 2008, he was awarded the "Outstanding Male Competitor Prize”.^[19] At the 2017 USA Junior Olympic National and International Championships on 16 - 18 June, 2017, in Spokane, Washington, Jayne won all matches by ippon in under a minute and was awarded the “Male Best Technique Award” over the two days.^[20][21]

Jayne was also active in the British Wrestling Association from 2009 to 2014.

Jayne started school at age 4 at Hill House School in Knightsbridge. After a year and a half he transferred to Eaton House Belgravia Pre-Preparatory School for a year and a half before entering Westminster Under School at age 7. At age 11 he attended Dulwich College for a year and a half, and then completed his GCSE and A Levels at the Mander Portman Woodward school in London.^[28] He went on to graduate from the University of Chicago^[29] with a BA in Mathematics in 2019 and from King's College London with an MSc in Mathematics in 2022. While at the University of Chicago, Jayne did collegiate wrestling, before switching his focus back to judo upon graduation.^[30]

He was a bronze medalist in the 90 kg category at the 2022 Pan American-Oceania Judo Championships in Lima, Peru.^[31][32]

He was a bronze medalist in the 90 kg category at the 2023 Pan American-Oceania Judo Championships in Calgary, Canada.^[33]

He was a silver medalist in the 90 kg category at the 2024 Pan American-Oceania Judo Championships in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. He was subsequently selected for the 2024 Paris Olympics to compete in the men's 90 kg.^[34]

In the Paris Olympics, he defeated former vice world champion Christian Parlati in the preliminary round before being knocked out by Han Ju-yeop in the Round of 16.^[35]

He was a bronze medalist in the 90 kg category at the 2025 Pan American-Oceania Judo Championships in Santiago, Chile.^[36]