Travis Stevens
Olympic judo silver medalist Travis Stevens built a separate BJJ path, training with Dave Camarillo before earning a 2013 black belt under John Danaher.
Biography
Sources for this profile
JudoAKD, “Travis Stevens – People Forget About Medals, Only Fighters Remain,” February 28, 2025(opens in a new tab)
Travis Stevens was born in Bellevue, Washington, on February 28, 1986.
Where in the source: Introduction
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Stevens, a pupil of Jimmy Pedro, won the men's 81 kg Olympic judo silver medal in Rio on August 9, 2016 after competing at three Olympic Games and seven World Championships.
Where in the source: Introduction, Olympic result
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In the republished 2016 interview, Stevens credited his support team for the step from fifth in London to silver in Rio and described how a severe 2015 knee infection reshaped his preparation and outlook.
Where in the source: Interview, London-to-Rio and knee answers
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BJJEE, “2 Time Judo Olympian Travis Stevens,” August 23, 2013(opens in a new tab)
Stevens said he first trained Brazilian jiu-jitsu in 2005 while studying and training judo at San Jose State, adding daily sessions with Dave Camarillo for about a year.
Where in the source: Interview, question 2
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A serious foot injury during preparation for the 2012 London Olympics led Stevens to Renzo Gracie Academy in Manhattan, where he trained intensively and became committed to jiu-jitsu.
Where in the source: Interview, question 2 continuation
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Stevens said he approached Brazilian jiu-jitsu as a separate sport rather than merely as supplementary groundwork for judo, and trained on weekends with John Danaher, Renzo Gracie and their team in New York.
Where in the source: Interview, questions 3 and 7
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Graciemag, “USA Judo Olympian Travis Stevens earns Jiu-Jitsu black belt from John Danaher,” November 26, 2013(opens in a new tab)
John Danaher promoted Stevens to Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt at Renzo Gracie Academy in New York on November 19, 2013; Stevens also credited Renzo Gracie in his account of the promotion.
Where in the source: Promotion report and Stevens statement
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International Judo Federation, “Travis Stevens”(opens in a new tab)
The International Judo Federation athlete page identifies Travis Stevens as a United States competitor in the men's 81 kg category.
Where in the source: Athlete header
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Lineage
No teaching connections are shown on this page.
Open lineage