– Expanding from the West Coast, 2026 will be our biggest year yet! –
One month of the new year has already passed, and our activity plan for 2026 is finally set—so I’d like to share the details with you. It has now been three months since we relocated from Chicago to San Francisco last November. I’m still adjusting to the different trash‑disposal rules and the high cost of living, but as expected from the home of US Judo, the West Coast is incredible. Requests for judo instruction keep coming in nonstop, and it already feels like a very busy year ahead.
Balancing this with raising a 3‑year‑old and a newborn won’t be easy, but I’m fully committed to traveling across the United States as much as possible to promote Judo—Japan’s original martial art. GKJN and Megumi Ishikawa will be charging full speed ahead again this year. Please look forward to what’s coming!
1. 2026 Activity Plan
2026 Calendar of Events
2．New Initiatives
(1) “4th GKJN Cup in LA” (December)
As announced at the end of last year, the 4th GKJN Cup will be held on Saturday, December 19, at the Terasaki Budokan in Los Angeles, with an expected 500 participants.
During my LA coaching trip from January 17–25, I visited the venue for a preliminary inspection—here’s a quick look!
The space was divided in half during my visit, but the actual floor area is twice as large.
Building on the experience of hosting the tournament three times in Chicago, we’ll be starting everything from scratch in this new location—securing sponsors, coordinating with local dojos, arranging top athletes from Japan, and more.
My greatest motivation is to fill this venue with the smiles of 500 US Judo Kids. That alone makes all the effort worthwhile.
I sincerely appreciate your continued support—both moral and financial.
(2) “Coaching Olympic Hopefuls & LA Dojo Instruction (One Week Every Month)”
2025: 7 dojos → 2026 plan: 20 dojos!!
This year, I’ll be traveling from my home in San Francisco to Los Angeles—about 600 km away—one week every month. In addition to coaching athletes aiming for the 2028 LA Olympics, I’ll be conducting a dojo‑instruction caravan across LA, which has 54 dojos, the same number as Tokyo. (Eight trips planned; January already completed.)
The goals are:
1) Building a network in LA, the city with the most dojos in the US
From LA, I’ll continue grassroots judo‑promotion activities and plant the seeds for the 4th GKJN Cup in December.
I hope to gain as many dojos as possible that will say, “If it’s for Megumi, we’re in!”
2) Coaching Olympic hopeful Malia & discovering young talent
Beyond the 2028 LA Olympics, I want to help create an environment where more American athletes can rise to the world stage.
3) Securing sponsors for the GKJN Cup (December)
It sounds simple, but the total cost of the tournament is 5–10 million yen.
We need to build a strong network in LA and find as many supporting companies as possible.
If you have connections in LA—individuals or businesses—please introduce them!
(Breaking News!!) Japan Training Camp with Malia Confirmed (April 3–12)
Ahead of the US Senior Nationals in May (final selection for the World Championships), we’ll train in Japan for 10 days to strengthen both mind and body.
Malia is currently No. 2 in the US, but at 18 years old, she’s just beginning her international career and world ranking journey.
With the 2028 LA Olympics in sight, our goals for this year and next year are:
- First, to secure a spot as a home nation representative in a full lineup of weight classes
- Then, to build the technical, physical, and mental strength needed to compete with world class athletes like Tsunoda and Uta Abe
This is the start of a serious challenge—because dreams only come true when you chase them.
(3) “Judo Instruction in My Local Community in San Francisco”
Training mats installed in my home garage! Private lessons already underway!
I set up a mini‑dojo in my garage using mats I bought at a Black Friday discount.
In just one month, I’ve already taught several private lessons ($200/hour—US prices are wild!)
I’m also accepting special private lessons from visitors coming from Japan!
In addition, I was invited by Nakano Judo Academy in San Jose (south of San Francisco), and starting in February, I’ll be teaching the Kids Class (ages 5–6) and Junior Class (ages 7–13).
It’s only once a week for now, but the one‑way drive is 1.5 hours. Still, I’m grateful for the opportunity and determined to balance “traveling across the US” with “building a local foundation.”
Nakano Judo Academy has 180 students, even as a community dojo!
With these core activities, I’ll continue working tirelessly throughout 2026.
Thank you very much for your continued guidance and support.
