Judoka and Award-Winning Musician Zoltan Bathory Gives Back to USA Judo
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by Bill Kellick
USA Judo is pleased to announce a contribution from founding guitarist of the award-winning metal band Five Finger Death Punch and lifelong judoka Zoltan Bathory.
Long recognized as one of the most charitable bands in rock, Five Finger Death Punch has spent decades giving back to various causes, including U.S. military veterans and first responders and their families. In 2026, the band is expanding that mission with the launch of its campaign to support elite athletes in the sports of judo and BMX, and align with the upcoming Olympic and Paralympic Games being held on American soil in Los Angeles in 2028. As part of the tour’s commitment to championing America’s next generation of athletes, a portion of the ticket sales from the 2026 U.S. Tour will be allocated to support the United States Olympic & Paralympic Committee-recognized National Governing Bodies for judo and BMX as they prepare for international competition.
Bathory has selected USA Judo, the National Governing Body for Judo in the U.S., as his beneficiary, while vocalist Ivan Moody will direct his contribution to the USA BMX Team.
“It’s a little-known fact that the United States is one of the only major countries in the world where the government does not fund Olympic and Paralympic athletes or their training programs,” says Bathory. “Our athletes are competing against nations with fully funded teams, while U.S. teams rely almost exclusively on private donations and sponsorships. We believe supporting Team USA is both patriotic and necessary, especially with the Olympic and Paralympic Games coming home in 2028.”
Moody added, “These athletes represent the best of who we are. Dedication, sacrifice, discipline. If we can help level the playing field even a little, we’re all in.”
These contributions will help fund essential resources for the athletes, covering coaching, travel, equipment, and the rigorous training required to compete on the world stage. With no direct government funding for U.S. Olympic and Paralympic sports, this initiative helps raise both financial support and awareness for the athletes who represent Team USA at the highest level. Five Finger Death Punch continues to stand at the intersection of music, service, and national pride, proving once again that success means nothing unless it’s shared.
“We cannot thank Mr. Bathory enough for his generous support of our athlete programs,” said USA Judo CEO Corinne Shigemoto. “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.”
