Photo: SMSGT D. Sutherland / Public domain (source: Wikimedia Commons)
My Take
What moves me about Paul Maruyama is the symmetry of his life. Born in Tokyo in 1941, he returned to the city of his birth not as a tourist but as part of the first U.S. judo team in the sport's Olympic debut at the 1964 Games. That is a poetic full circle few athletes ever get. What impresses me even more is the second act: an MBA from Hawaii, a teaching career, and authoring Escape from Manchuria. He turned the discipline of the mat into the discipline of scholarship, and I deeply respect a man who fights with both body and pen.
1. Profile
- Name (English)
- Paul Maruyama
- Name (Japanese)
- ポール・マルヤマ
- Reading
- ぽーる・まるやま
- Born
- October 27, 1941 (age 84)
- Zodiac / Chinese zodiac
- Scorpio / Snake
- Origin
- Tokyo, Japan
- Height
- 167 cm
- Occupation
- judoka
2. Background
- University
- San Jose State University
4. Personality
Motto
Private
5. Works & records
| Category | Title | Role | Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Notable work | Escape from Manchuria | — |
6. Links
Frequently asked questions
When was Paul Maruyama born?
Born October 27, 1941 (age 84).
Where is Paul Maruyama from?
Paul Maruyama is from Tokyo, Japan.
What does Paul Maruyama do?
Paul Maruyama works as judoka.
How tall is Paul Maruyama?
Paul Maruyama is 167 cm.
What is Paul Maruyama known for?
Notable works include Escape from Manchuria.
Judoka — see all → · More people from Japan →
7. About this entry
Tags
- Last updated
- 2026-06-02
Facts are limited to publicly available information up to 2024; non-public or unconfirmed items are omitted. English text is machine-assisted (facts translated by Sonnet, "My Take" written by Opus 4.8). The Japanese page is the source of record.