Maureen Amber Braziel

Born in Brooklyn in 1945, daughter of Johnie and Cecil and beloved niece to Maureen (MoMo) and Paul Padovani.

She had a challenging childhood which drew her to the sport of judo where she received numerous accolades and notoriety over time. She was a graduate of Hunter College, New York earning a Bachelor of Arts and a Master of Science.

Maureen established dominance in American women’s judo during the late 1960s and 1970s. She competed in various tournaments both nationally and internationally. In 1974 she won the inaugural women’s AAU Judo Championship in Phoenix Arizona. She claimed first place in the heavyweight division. She won gold in the open division at the US Nationals in 1975 and repeated as heavyweight and Grand champion in 1976 and 1977. She won Gold in the open division at the first Women’s Pan-American Judo Championships and was selected as a member of the US women’s national team.

On the international stage Maureen earned a silver medal in the heavyweight category and a bronze in the open division at the 1972 British Open judo championships. She continued her success and won a gold medal in the open category at the 1976 British Open to become the first non-British woman to win that title.

When not competing, Sensi Maureen supported and promoted women’s judo joining forces with her fellow judoka’s culminating in a successful 1984 lawsuit against the United States Olympic committee for discriminatory practices. This verdict paved the way for women to compete in judo in the 1988 Seoul Olympics.

In 2021 Maureen was inducted into the Hall of fame for her lifetime of achievements and dedication to the sport.

Maureen just enjoyed the competition. She competed and played in other sports; rugby, golf, biking, handball, racket ball and in 1982 completed the NYC Marathon.

She traveled extensively through throughout the United States. Making road trips out West and camping in the various National parks. Her favorite place was the Grand Canyon where she trekked to the bottom on three occasions. The lounging was great, the scenery speculator but the trek up was another story. She also traveled to Europe traveling thru Italy, France, Germany and Switzerland in what was called a “taste of Europe.” She made her way to Ireland visiting the West Coast, traveled to Egypt and Israel and finally made it to Machu Picchu which was on her bucket list.

Maureen love of sports led her to Polytechnic Institute University (NYU-Poly) in New York City. She joined the school in 1982 as the Assistant Athletic Director, a position she held until 1997 after which she became Athletic Director. She launched the men’s and women’s judo program shortly after her arrival at Polytechnic and worked tirelessly to promote and support and expand other athletic programs including volleyball, basketball, and softball to name a few. She had her dream job developing and nurturing students through the love of sport.

Upon her retirement she relocated to Las Vegas, Nevada and continued her love of competition, playing golf racket ball and eventually took up bowling and boxing.

She adopted two lovely dogs, Holly who predeceased her and Gypsie Rose.

She was President of the Nevada Judo Association from 2016 to 2019 where she attained the rank of 7th DAN.

Her legacy in the world of Judo is well cemented. But more importantly, was her impact on those she called friends.

Those relationships transcended over decades in which she described it “as if time stood still” when she reached out in a phone call or a visit.”

She touched many lives whether it came through the sporting arena, employment or just a chance meeting and she will be greatly missed.

A Celebration of Life will also be held at Palm Mortuary - Cheyenne, 7400 West Cheyenne Avenue, Las Vegas, NV 89129, US, on March 20, 2026, from 11:00 am to 12:00 pm.