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Even Beginners are Aggressive, a big hope for Judo in USA

Judo Clinic in a rural city in Indiana On Saturday, September 30th, I was invited for a Judo Clinic by the city of Muncie Indiana located about 220 miles southeast of Chicago.  2 hours in the morning and another 2 in the afternoon.  Although it was only 4 hours, I met with a lot of great people, and was able to pickup some findings.  I made me realize again that my activity of cultural exchange and healthy youth development through Judo has no limits. Please allow me to share the experience with a lot of photos. Muncie Indiana Yup, driving through the middle of nowhere 1.JUDO Lovers!! Muncie Indiana, the […]

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Full Throttle in my 4th year with everything I learned

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

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The First Japan Camp for GKJN Ended in Success!!

2 Boys from the US participating in the US Open after their training camp in Japan During end of June to mid July, we have sent 2 of the premier athletes at the Tohkon Judo Academy to Japan for 4 weeks.  They experienced the boot camp at the Mecca of Judo, the Kodokan, as well as at Kyoto Ryukoku University, and Aichi Seijo High School.  After their return to the US, they fought at the only international event in the US, the United States Open (July 28~30) With limited budgets, everything was “hand made” including homestays in various locations as well as staying at my home 😊  It’s the first

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60 People, Ages 6~70 on One Mat. That’s JUDO a lifetime sport!

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

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World Junior and Cadet (15-17 years) Team USA

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

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Understand Today’s Japan and Win in the US

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

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Practice, Pain, Pressure, but Smiles at the End

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

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Laughs, Cries, but Fought Through – Big stage for kids

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

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Teaching Judo Abroad (File003)

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

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Kagami Biraki – A Japanese New Year’s Tradition Over 200 people participated in Chicago!!

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 –

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