Asian American Biographies

  Yoshihiro Uchida, Peerless Judo Coach, Is Dead at 104 A coach at San Jose State for seven decades, he helped establish the sport in America and trained generations of athletes, many of whom went to the Olympics. Listen to this article · 6:19 min  Learn more Share full article Yoshihiro Uchida in 1993. Under his tutelage the men’s judo team at San Jose State University won 52 national championships in 62 years, and the much newer women’s team won 26. He was one of the winningest coaches ever, of any sport. Credit... John M. Burgess/Time Life Pictures, via Getty Images By  Clay Risen Published July 6, 2024 Updated July 7, 2024,  12:55 a.m. ET Yoshihiro Uchida, the longtime San Jose State University coach who helped establish judo as one of the most popular martial arts in America — and who was widely regarded as the best college judo coach in history — died on June 27 at his home in Saratoga, Calif. He was 104. His daughter Lydia Uchida-Sakai confirmed...

   Maryam Durani (b. 1987). An Afghan activist and women's advocate. In 2012, she received the International Women of Courage Award.  Maryam Durani is the daughter of Haji Mohammad Eisa Durani, and she is a member of the Durrani tribe. She graduated from the Payam Noor and American University of Afghanistan. She earned a degree in Law and Political Science and business. Despite the area's extremely conservative view toward women, Durani served as a leader, role model, and advocate for women in Kandahar. First elected as a Kandahar Provincial Council Member in 2005 at the age of 21 and for a second term in 2009, Durani served as one of only four women on the Council and brought women's concerns and a woman's perspective to the activities and discussions of the Council. As a young, emerging leader in southern Afghanistan, Durani's courage and dedication to the women of Afghanistan were embedded in the fabric of her daily lif...