3 years after founding GKJN, 3 years after moving to the USA
Thanks to everyone, GKJN will reach our 3 year mark this 1st of October!!
I want to take this opportunity to thank everyone that help support our activities.
Still a baby, but here’s what we have accomplished
Creating our LOGO was tough enough (FYI – this was designed by my Mom!!)
3 months after acquiring my Athlete VISA, I met 3 girls at a Clinic. I keep in touch with them still today.
Judo class in Japan was also filled with great findings and memories.
4th Year Goal
Our activities will be based on the 3 principles listed below.
(1) “New Dojo Construction and the Move – New Dojo Training Camp” (Spring 2024)
GKJN’s partner, Tohkon Judo Academy will be moving to a new facility after being in downtown Chicago for 27 years. The new DOJO will be 3 times the size of the current facility. The plan for the move is Spring of 2024 – currently in construction.
The new dojo is large and is capable of having 3 rings – as the inaugural event, I plan to gather as many JUDOKA in the US as possible and host a training camp. This is in the course of popularizing JUDO here in the USA.
The training camp that took place in Dallas in December 2021, more than 100 athletes gathered from all around the country.
I wanna do this in Chicago!!!
(2) Hold the “2nd GKJN Cup” on a national scale! (Scheduled for June 2012)
The 2nd GKJN Cup was part of the plan for the 3rd year, but due to the various issues related to the New Dojo (Location Selection, Budgeting, Contracting, Design Review, etc, etc.), it was inevitable but to postpone the event until next year.
For the 2nd Cup, I wish to expand the scope from not just the Midwest, but by using my JUDO network, to the entire United States. Not just that, I am planning to invite Olympic Medalists from Japan as special coaches and make it an extravaganza!!
Next time will be BIGGER and GREATER!!
(3) 2nd US Kids Training Tour in Japan (Summer 2024)
This year was a Test Case where 2 high school students were sent to Japan. All fees were paid by themselves, so I needed assistance from a lot of people. Ryukoku Univ. where I coached prior to coming to the US, Aichi Seijo High School where my father is the head coach, they all helped with accommodations, practice menus, etc.
Next year, I wish to extend the tally to 10 persons to include not just JUDO but cultural exchange with Kids in Tokyo, Kyoto, Kumamoto, etc. This tour requires funds for air travel, accommodations, local travel, etc, and needs financial support.
Everyone at Ryukoku Univ. Boys practiced also in the Womens’ Class too. When they get up on the TATAMI, Nationality, Gender, Age, none of that matters!!
This year, I was doing a lot of things while raising my baby. (Round Trip drive to the Dojo with my baby, coaching with my baby on my back – initially it was tough, but now it’s a piece of cake!! Grateful to all the mothers at the DOJO)
I devoted myself to Judo Coaching as well as the Judo Clinic requested by USA Judo. I have 3 more clinics planned until the year end (Indiana, Los Angeles, Washington DC) My goal is to make all the kids and people I meet through these events, happy. I will continue these activities in my 4th year.
The sole reason I can continue these activities is purely to the sponsors and supporters. I would like to thank again to everyone for the continued support.
4th Year is still FULL THROTTLE!!
Kids at Tohkon Judo Academy. This is the source of my energy!!
