Spokane Judo

Category: News

  • 2025 Zenyu Dojo Fall Challenge

    2025 Zenyu Dojo Fall Challenge

    American Judo has teamed up with Zenyu Judo to provide the best tournament experience possible. American Judo Shiai’s are the perfect place for any judoka looking to gain experience in a competitive yet friendly tournament atmosphere. Our developmental tournament series offers as many matches as possible, so you can get the most out of your experience. With a modified rule set in place, everyone is sure to have a positive tournament experience. 

    TOURNAMENT DETAILS:

    USJA Sanction Number: 

    Date: 11/15/2025

    Venue: Kentlake High School

    Address: 21401 Southeast Falcon Way, Kent, WA 98042

    Format: Modified Double Elimination or Round Robin for 5 or Less, Best Two out of Three for divisions of 2. All uncontested divisions will have the opportunity to move their division to get the maximum amount of matches or receive a refund.

    Age Standards: Age 4 and Up

    • This event is open to all Judoka regardless of membership affiliation. NO SPECIFIC MEMBERSHIP REQUIRED TO PARTICIPATE! 
    • NO Specific Judo Membership Required – OPEN to ALL Judoka. 
    • USA Judo, USJA and/or USJF Membership Recommended

    Tournament Director: Denny Nguyen

    Registration & Brackets: Tyler Yonemori (American Judo)

    Chief Referee: Patrick Lo

    All States & Canadians are Welcome!

    _______________________________________________________________________________

    REFUND POLICY

    In the event, you are unable to attend the event due to unforeseen circumstances such as but not limited to: injury, illness, travel issues, or you are uncontested and there are no suitable divisions for you/your athlete to compete in, you will receive a full refund. 

    All refund requests must be submitted to events@americanjudo.com

    _______________________________________________________________________________

    QUESTIONS/NEED HELP:

    Questions? Email Tyler Yonemori at events@americanjudo.com

    Registration is here

  • Rules & Referee Clinic

    Rules & Referee Clinic

    Improve your knowledge of the 2025 competition rules and/or Begin the process to becoming a Junior or Regional Referee!

    Saturday October 11, 2025

    Get ready for the 2025-2026 judo season with our Rules and Referee Clinic – an essential opportunity for athletes, coaches and aspiring referees.  

    * Athletes:  Learn exactly how the rules will be applied this season so you can step onto the

                        tatami with confidence and a competitive edge.  

    * Coaches:  Stay ahead of the curve with a clear understanding of both the rules and the

                         new/revised techniques that will be permitted this year.  

    * Judoka interested in officiating:  Begin your journey toward earning your Junior Referee

                         Certification or Regional Referee Certification.

    USJF Sanctioned Event: pending

     

    Clinician: Sensei Mike Hiatt, N4 Regional Referee

     

    Venue: Athol Elementary School Gymnasium 

    Address: 6333 E. Menser Ave, Athol, Idaho  83801

    Eligibility: Open to registrants 10 years of age and older with current USJF, USJA or USA Judo membership.

    Cost: 35.00

    Contact:  lakelandjudoclub@gmail.com or 406-291-1220

    Clinic Schedule

    SATURDAY

    9 AM – Noon                     Direct Instruction.  Learning and application of the rules in Tachi

                                                Waza and Ne Waza.           

    Noon – 12:30 PM               Lunch will be provided             

    12:30 PM – 2:00 PM          Scoring Application.  Judoka will have several rounds of rondori

                                                to apply their new/revised techniques while future referees will

                                                practice practice scoring live matches.  

    Smoothcomp site for registration here

  • Saturday Practice

    A quick reminder that we will have practice this Saturday 8/23 from 9:00-11:00.
    Hope to see everyone there.

  • Tournament – 2025 Rainier Cup

    Ippon Judo Dojo and the Northwest Judo Yudanshakai invite all Judokas to the 2025 Rainier Cup Judo Championships. This International event is sanctioned by the United States Judo Association, sponsored by Tacoma South Sound Sports, and powered by American Judo. We thank you in advance for your support and participation, and we look forward to seeing each of you on the mat!

    Date: 10/04/2025

    Venue: Pierce College (Fort Steilacoom Campus)

    Address: 9401 Farwest Drive SW Lakewood, Washington 98498

    Format: Modified Double Elimination for 6 or more, Round Robin for 5 or Less, Best 2/3 for divisions of two.

    Age Standards: Age 4 and Up

    Participant Guidelines:

    • USA Judo, USJA, USJF or Judo Canada Memberships Preferred

    Cost:

    • Normal Registration: $65 for first division and $25 for additional divisions
    • Late Registration: $85 for first division and $35 for additional divisions

    Tournament Directors: Jason Harai, John Harai, Byron Redditt

    Registration & Brackets: Tyler Yonemori (American Judo)

    Chief Referee: Brian Toth – IJF A referee

    Medical Staff: Dr. Eric Chen and staff.

    All States & Canadians are Welcome!

    Registration: Smoothcomp

    Additional Details: Information Packet

  • World Championship Data

    Below is a chart of the top 20 scoring techniques from this year’s World Championships in Hungary. Please consider checking out the Substack linked below to view the analysis and breakdown of specific weight classes, as well as some data from past major tournaments this year. The person who collected this data also did a great job of breaking down the major trends in techniques/strategies. Hope it’s useful!

    Competition Data

  • 2025 August Tanaka Clinic

    A unique Judo clinic led by Sensei Hidemasa Tanaka – world-class athlete and phenomenal Judo instructor, known for his unique, artistic Judo style and iconic, viral instructional videos.

    Day 1
    Session 1: 10 am-12 pm (Kids: 12 and under)
    Session 2: 2 pm-5 pm (Adults: 13 and over)
    Day 2 
    Session 1: 9 am -12 pm (Adults: 13 and over)
    Potluck: 12:30 pm
    Date/Location
    August 16-17th
    Washington Judo Academy
    10600 N 68th St, Kirkland, WA 98033
    Price
    $50 per session
    Signup/Additional Information

  • 2025 Fall Hiraoka Judo Clinic

    Come and learn tachiwaza (standing techniques) and newaza (mat work) from Olympic and World medalist Sensei Hiroaki Hiraoka.
    Session 1: 9AM to 11:00AM
    (Juniors 5 yrs to 16 yrs)
    Session 2: 1 PM to 3PM
    (Seniors 1 7yrs+)
    Depending on the level of 13-16 yrs old judoka, they may be able to participate in the Session 2
    When: Saturday, September 13, 2025
    Where: Kentridge High School East 12430 SE 208th Street
    Kent, WA 98031
    Cost: $40 per session

    Additional information here

  • Congratulations!!🎊

    We are delighted to recognize the considerable achievements of Adam McGuire, Sensei Callisto Aotsuke, and John Jones in earning their promotions! Through rigorous study and competition, Adam and John earned their Green belts. Sensei Callisto met and exceeded the standards for Nidan, serving as a national referee and a valuable instructor in the club.

    All three exemplify the judo principle of Jita Kyoei, a foundational idea that highlights learning through collaboration and mutual assistance.

    “The purpose of the study of judo is to perfect yourself and to contribute to society.”

    — Kano Jigoro

  • Judo Grip and Domination Camp – June 13-14 with Toni Lettner and Jenn Badertscher

    Reminder:

    we will not have practice this coming Saturday 6/14 as I am suggesting everyone attend this camp!

    Hi Judo Family,

    Ready to own every exchange from the very first grip? Join powerhouse coach Toni Lettner in beautiful Athol, Idaho (Home of the Northwest’s Largest Theme Park – Silverwood!) for two action-packed days dedicated to grip domination, big throws, and seamless Ne-Waza transitions.

    Why you can’t miss this camp

    · Master same side vs. opposite-side gripping, with tricks to out-grip even stronger opponents.

    · Unlock new takedowns: modified Te-Guruma, Sumi-Gaeshi and Foot Sweeps.

    · Elevate your own Tokui-Waza game from various grip positions.

    · Tons of randori to pressure test every skill you learn.

    Seminar Plan

    Friday June 13

    Time

    Group

    Focus

    2 pm – 4 pm

    Ages < 13

    Grip basics (kumikata fundamentals), footwork games, and intro to modified Te-Guruma

    5 pm – 7 pm

    Ages 13 +

    Advanced same-side & opposite-side gripping chains, Sumi-Gaeshi setups, transitions to quick holds & armlocks

    Saturday June 14

    Time

    Group

    Focus

    10 am – 12 pm

    Ages < 13

    Grip reaction drills, breaking strong collars, throws to hold-down flow

    1 pm – 3 pm

    Ages 13 +

    Dominant first-contact strategies, linking grips to your Tokui-waza, fast ne-waza finishes

    3:30 pm – 5:30 pm

    OPEN MAT (all ages)

    Randori gauntlet & live situational rounds, apply everything you learned!

    Quick Facts

    · Dates: Friday–Saturday, June 13-14, 2025

    · Venue: Athol Elementary School 6333 Menser Ave, Athol, Idaho 83801

    Lodging: Camping at Farragut State and Ravenwood RV Resort are great

    options. Airbnb and Hotels can be found in Athol, Spirit Lake, and

    Coeur d’Alene.

    · Eligibility: Current USJF, USJA, and USA Judo members, all belts, ages 6

    (sessions split by age)

    Lock in your spot now

    Registration opens today and will cap quickly. Click below, grab your teammates, and get ready to dominate the grip battle:

    https://usjf.smoothcomp.com/en/event/20389

    Questions? email t.lettner74@gmail.com or Lakelandjudoclub@gmail.com and we’ll help you out.

    Can’t wait to see you on the mats in Idaho’s lake country, let’s make every grip count!

    See you soon,

    Jenn Badertscher & Toni Lettner
    Judo Grip and Domination Camp 2025

  • Saturday Practice

    A reminder, we are having practice this Saturday, adults 9:00-11:00, kids 10:00-11:00.
    See everyone there!