When Zoltan Bathory tied his first judo belt 40 years ago as a nine year old in Hungary he could not have imagined the path ahead. The famous guitarist has now come full circle announcing a significant contribution to USA Judo that will support elite athletes preparing for the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games in Los Angeles.
As part of the band’s 2026 US tour a portion of ticket sales will directly benefit judo and BMX athletes working toward their Olympic goals. For Bathory now a fourth degree judo black belt the initiative represents a way to give back to the sport that shaped his mindset and discipline long before music entered the picture.
“We cannot thank Mr. Bathory enough for his generous support of our athlete programs. Judo has played a large role in Mr. Bathory’s life and to give back to the sport through this thoughtful gesture is incredible. Our USA Judo athletes will benefit from his generosity by way of high performance programming as we prepare for the rapidly approaching LA28 Olympic and Paralympic Games.”
The musician recently received his fourth degree black belt from Olympic judo legends Mike Swain and Joe Marchal figures he once idolized and later came to know personally. Speaking on the Inside USA Judo Interview Series Bathory reflected on the moment.
“I was the kid this time like hey Eddie can we take a picture. For me these guys were the stars when I was growing up and watching them in the Olympics.”
Bathory’s martial arts education began in Hungary’s state sponsored system where training was strict and competition driven. The lessons extended beyond throws and grips. His sensei taught him that obstacles were not excuses but challenges to confront directly a principle that carried into every area of his life. He told USA Judo:
“I believe to this day that I became successful in music and every venture I ever had because I was a judo guy because I had that mindset.”
Early exposure to competition removed hesitation and fear replacing them with action and accountability.
After earning his judo black belt Bathory began teaching takedowns to Brazilian jiu jitsu practitioners. That experience revealed how jiu jitsu complemented judo particularly on the ground. Rather than approach it as an authority he chose to start over trading his black belt for a white belt. Two decades later he holds a first degree black belt in Brazilian jiu jitsu while continuing his judo practice.
Teaching jiu jitsu athletes also sharpened his judo.
“I think my judo got much better because now I have to explain it.”
Working with experienced grapplers forced precision.
“I have to explain it to high level jiu jitsu guys who are black belts already really highly accomplished martial artists and they are savages on the ground.”
That process reshaped his throwing style.
“A lot of my throws because of this because of 20 years of teaching jiu jitsu guys I started to like most of my throws as one grip. Most of the time I don’t have a second grip.”
After years focused on jiu jitsu competition Bathory recently returned to judo events appearing at the President’s Cup in Dallas. Although his division did not have an opponent his intentions were clear.
“I want to compete in judo. So it’s the future.”
Bathory also spoke about how judo could grow in the United States. He emphasized live broadcast of competitions on platforms such as Twitch and Twitter and promoting elite athletes in a way that makes them visible and relatable.
“Kids are impressionable and they’re going to go where they feel like they get attention.”
He added that if organizations made a real effort to focus on elite athletes participation would follow.
He also pointed out a common misconception about funding.
“These are nonprofits right. Every bit that they get from the general population makes a huge difference in how we can train our athletes.”
His decision to tie ticket sales to athlete support reflects one way to address that gap.
For young people considering judo Bathory’s endorsement is direct.
“It will absolutely rewire your mind. It rewires you as a person and it will change the way you think. As I said I became successful in life because of that because it rewired me because I think differently.”
That philosophy still guides him.
“Life you will happen to life not life happens to you. You’re happening to this planet not the other way around. “
As USA Judo prepares for the Los Angeles 2028 Games Bathory’s support arrives at a moment when resources and visibility matter.
