TOKYO, JAPAN – AUGUST 28: Jack Hatton (blue) of the United States and Marco Tumampad (white) of the Philippines compete in the Men’s -81kg Pool C first round on day four of the World Judo Championships at the Nippon Budokan on August 28, 2019 in Tokyo, Japan. | Photo by Kiyoshi Ota/Getty Images
Those closest to the promising young Judoka had no idea he was struggling as he worked toward the Tokyo Olympics.
USA Judo is mourning the loss of Jack Hatton, a rising star in the sport expected to compete in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics in the 81kg division. Hatton had turned 24 just four days prior.
The timing of Hatton’s death has been baffling to those closest to him, including his coach, Jimmy Pedro. Pedro commented that for the first time, Hatton was financially stable—one of only five judoka to be receiving a stipend from USA Judo. Hatton also coached at Saratoga Judo, Inc. in Greenfield, NY. However, close friend Tony Sangimino cites Hatton’s many years of financial struggle as being a factor. “It’s a wake-up call,” he told the Washington Post. “Plenty of athletes live in these conditions [facing financial pressure] across the country.”
Pedro has also shared his concerns that CTE could have played a role. Hatton suffered concussions at age 21 and 22. Although he went through concussion protocol after these incidents, Pedro has encouraged Hatton’s family to donate his brain to Boston University’s CTE Center.
Whether or not CTE played a role in Hatton’s death, elite athletes in general can be vulnerable to depression. A year ago, Michael Phelps came forward to discuss his battles with mental illness. After each Olympics, Phelps revealed that he would slip into a major depression during the fall months afterward, as the days shortened and winter approached. With each Olympics these episodes became worse, with Phelps finally seeking help in 2014. After going through treatment Phelps says, “I am extremely thankful that I did not take my life.”
As for MMA fighters, last February Jeremy Stephens shared his struggle with depression after his loss to Jose Aldo. Stephens cited childhood trauma as the key factor in his own situation. He wound up changing his life at the Choice Center, which offers leadership programs. “All this growth, going through this program has really put me on another level mentally. It’s helped my training, it’s affected my relationships and opened me up to a whole new world.”
Unlike Phelps and Stephens, Hatton’s story came to a close before he was able to get treatment. Although he had not confided in friends, family, or coaches, Pedro revealed that one of his last searches Hatton made suggested he was looking for help.
“He was in position to go to the Games, a dream of his. He seemed happy, with no signs of depression. But one of the last searches on his phone was looking for mental health [assistance]. He was seeking help. We just had no idea.”
If you are struggling with depression or thoughts of self-harm, call The National Suicide Prevention Center at 1-800-273-8255, or visit the National Alliance on Mental Illness at www.nami.org