All Blog Posts (887)

Sayaka Sensei began studying judo at the age of 5, under the instruction of her father, David Matsumoto, and grew to become a talented judo player in her own right. She currently has the most impressive list of competitive accomplishments at EBJI: She is a 7 time Senior National Champion, has been on 3 World Championship teams, and was a member of the 2008 Olympic Team. In December 2006, she graduated from the University of California at Berkeley with a B.A. in Mass Communications

and…

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Orlando "Orly" Fuentes was an American powerhouse in the 90's. Visibly the most powerful judoka of the 65kg weight division. Orly had several great techniques. His tai otoshi and uchi mata were always visible, but he's devastating body lifts/slams were definitely memorable.



Orly is the head instructor of Pinecrest Judo Club in Florida.



Here's a snap shot of Orly's accomplishments:



• 1996 Olympic Team Member

• 2x World Team Member

• Jr. World Team Member

•… Continue

Chuck Jefferson began his Judo training at 5 years old under coach Ernie Smith at the Barstow Judo Club. Chuck had an instant love for the sport and earned his first junior national gold medal at 7 years old. He continued his training with Coach Smith compiling close to twenty junior national medals. At age 18 Chuck graduated from Barstow High School and moved on to train with the legendary judo program at San Jose State University under head coach Yoshihiro Uchida. It was now time to make the… Continue

World War II was a watershed for Kodokan Judo. Kano's death before the war, wartime demands and the Japanese surrender, and postwar occupation and the martial arts ban all contributed to a time of uncertainty in Judo, as in Japan. Kodokan's resurgence after the War was due primarily to two individuals: Kyuzo Mifune and US Air Force General Curtis LeMay.

Mifune was born a year after the Kodokan was founded, April 21, 1883 in Kuji City, Iwate Prefecture on Honshu Island. He…

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Mike Swain

Born: 12/21/60 (Elizabeth, NJ), Height 5' 9", Weight 71 kg
Address: 138 West Campbell Ave, Campbell, CA 95008


Sport: JUDO - Fifth Degree Black Belt (Godan)


Business: Swain Sports International 408-286-5836


Wife: Chie Swain (1992 - 61kg Olympian - Brazil)


Father-in-law: Chiaki Ishii (1972 - 95kg Olympic Bronze Medalist - Brazil)


Publications: The Clinch (book), Ashiwaza II (book), Mike Swain's Judo (video), Championship Grappling (video)



U.S.… Continue

James Steven ("Jim") Bregman (born November 17, 1941 in Arlington, Virginia) was a member of the first American team to compete in judo in the Olympics"…

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Masao Fukuma

Born: 1943 in Okayama, Japan

Trained: Okayama, Tokyo and Kanagawa

Record:

• 1965 All Japan National Team Tournament (Represented Kanagawa)

• 1968 US Senior Nationals 176 lbs - 2nd

• 1970 SPAAV - Open Class - 1st place

• Grand Champion - 1st place

Taught:

• Daijuken 1967-1969 • Venice 1967-1974 • Gardena YMCA 1967-1978

• Norwalk 1975-Present…

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