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Acting as Main Coach in the Women’s Camp Where all women JUDOKAs in the United States get together I participated as the Main Coach in the Women’s Camp which took place in Denver, CO from July 14th to 16th and experienced another way of JUDO.  A 3 day event where 60 women JUDOKAs got together, a really precious experience.  Please read the article as though you were part of this Camp. Below is the entire schedule.  My portion is highlighted in yellow (Yes, there’s a lot!!) (80% preparation, 20% execution – I did my best in the preparation) Camp Schedule 2023 1. What is Women’s Camp? (Official Name：Keiko Fukuda Joshi […]

US Junior Olympics, my students were in 5th and 6th place On June 16th and 17th in Shreveport, Louisiana the Junior Olympics were held where 3 members from Tohkon Judo Academy participated.  The other mission was to look for next generation potential candidates for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.  This article shares the excitement of the games and the efforts of our students.  Please enjoy the article as it also contains our “funny’ trip down there. １．Site is in Louisiana, requires a layover Our flight to Shreveport was from Chicago via Dallas Fort Worth – a 5 hour one way excursion.  Yes, it’s summer, dead summer and everyday the temperature

A fruitful stay in Japan, grateful to meet everyone Last month, I was invited to a Judo Class in Japan (Takahagi City, Ibaraki) and made a round trip to Japan. In this article I would like to tell you about my activities as well as the meetings I had with various people. 1. Highlights of Japan My mission JUDO is the same, but a lot of content filled activities (1) Met and dined with my dream Prof. Kaori Yamaguchi (May 7th @ Tokyo) I was very nervous, but with a bit of help from alcohol we talked about being a woman, a mother, and a Judoka. (2) Judo Class in

There’s drama for everyone in the annual promotion test On March 23rd, the promotion test at Tohkon Judo Academy took place and I participated as a judge.  At this academy, the promotion test takes place twice a year (but for each individual, the opportunity is once a year) and if you pass, your grade becomes higher and the belt color also changes.  It’s a BIG event for kids. This article talks about the thoughts of the kids taking the test, and the difference of this test between US and Japan. Nervous kids before the test Judging must be strict but correct.  I too was a bit tense. 1. Promotion Test

Local Tournament in Wisconsin Sunday, March 5th a Judo Tournament took place in Wahadachi, a suburb of Milwaukee.  Local Tournament? 354 participants and 600 including spectators. 24 kids from Tohkon participated in the tournament.  The seconds were Doug and myself.  This article is about a wintery day where we fought together with the kids. 90 minutes straight north from Chicago is Milwaukee Lutheran High School had a huge gym. We laid out 4 rings in this gym. 1. Always straight and honest – seconds for kids are more important. My mission is to as to assume the second for kids and have them win as much matches as possible. Last

an endless battle with inferiority complex – your challenging spirit is vital 18 months after my move to Chicago.  I am at a point where daily Judo Coaching is part of my routine. However, doing something different than when I was competing, I question myself “Am I showing any progress?”  This article talks about my mind and coflicts with my daily life.  I hope this could be a message to those who are struggling with their lives abroad, or those that are looking forward in a professional career in a different country. (1) Conservative and Aggressive One thing I understand to be important is when to be conservative, and when

Tohkon Judo Academy Kagami Biraki (Jan 14th) On Saturday, January 14th, a tradition of the start of New Year Martial Arts Training, Kagami Biraki took place at the Tohkon Judo Academy.  This article is about this event. Due to the pandemic, it has been 3 years from the last time this took place.  The event is hosted by Tohkon Judo Academy, JASC (Japan American Services Committee) where 200 people participated including the kids and adults of the Dojo as well as the coaches and staff.  We also had an honorable guest, Mr. Tajima, the Counsel General of Japan at Chicago. Kagami Biraki Agenda 8:00 ~ 12:00 Kagami biraki preparation –

Annual Schedule and the Kangeiko on Jan 8th I hope everyone had a very happy new years into 2023.  I heartfully thank everyone that is supporting GKJN activities. This article talks about the GKJN schedule for 2023 which has been approved by the Board Members of GKJN as well as the Kangeiko that took place on January 8th. Continuing in 2023, I will be marching forward being honest to my belief.  I wish for the continued support to my activities. 1. Annual Schedule 2023 Our network has grown where there will be events EVERY MONTH!!  Below are the main objectives of my activities. Promoting Judo in the United States as

~ Gratitude to sponsors, Public Lecture, Preparation for 2023 and returned to cold Chicago ~ After my move to the United States, I have made a visit to my home country Japan after 16 months.  In this article, I wish to share the activities there together with what I felt, what I was surprised at, etc. The objective of my Japan Trip was to show my gratitude to my sponsors (with the tight schedule, I couldn’t visit all of them – my apologies), my first public lecture (Rotary Club in Odawara-Naka) Preparation for the US Kids Judo Camp in Japan, and visits to Adidas Japan, Mizkan, Ryukoku University, and meeting

~Participation in the USA Judo Presidents Cup and meetings with Chairman of USA Judo~ This is an article of the Dallas Open and the Presidents Cup held in Irving Texas on November 19th and 20th. 1.     What is the Presidents Cup? The Presidents Cup is held every year just before Thanksgivings, and is one of the top 3 judo championships in the United States, with the two others being US Senior Championship and the US Open,  Every year this event is held over 2 days.  The 1st day I s the local event (Dallas Open) and the 2nd day is the main event, the Presidents cup.  Both are USA Judo