As we stride into 2024, it's time to reflect on the busy list of events that were held during the first quarter for American Judo. From coast to coast, we've had the privilege of uniting judoka, facilitating growth, and fostering a sense of community that defines our sport.
Let's take a moment to celebrate the journey we've embarked on together.
January:
We kicked off the year with the prestigious 2024 Starrett Cup Judo Tournament in Brooklyn, NY, which set the stage for an exciting year ahead. Hosted by Legrossports and Judo Olympian for Haiti, Parnel Legros.
February:
February saw a flurry of activity, beginning with the enriching American Judo Kids Academy Workshop - Ohio in Avon, OH. This event was hosted at Chu Tu Bu Judo which is owned and operated by Paul Jordan. That workshop was led by American Judo Head Coach, US Olympian & Olympic Judo Coach, Steve Cohen along with American Judo Assistant Coach & Events Manager, Tyler Yonemori. The same weekend, National Ranked Referee Isaac Carmichael ran the 2024 American Judo Referee Certification Seminar in Wakefield, MA, ensuring the highest standards of officiating. That seminar certified a handful of indiviuals to REGIONAL Level referees. We also hosted the 2024 Future Stars 20 Judo Championships in Yelm, WA, under the leadership of Jasaon Harai from Ippon Dojo and his brother Jim Harai from Harai Judo & Jiu-Jitsu. This event is for White & Yellow Belts only to nurture the talent of tomorrow.
March:
March was marked by the invigorating 2024 Zenyu Winter Classic Judo Tournament in Kent, WA, hosted by Denny Nguyen and Nausikka Davis who also oversee a High School Judo Program in Washington. This event ran on three mats and featured a Kata competition along with the traditional Shiai. On the same weekend, American Judo had the pleasure of operating 2x US Olympian Colton Brown's first American Judo event. The Colton Brown Training Center Judo Open in Warren, NJ, underscored the camaraderie and sportsmanship of our community.
April:
In April, the excitement peaked with a lineup of thrilling events. We witnessed the competitive spirit at the 2024 Budokan Annual Judo Tournament in Kent, WA, which had record numbers for attendance run by Calvin & Marvin Terada. The electrifying 2024 Battle By The Lake Judo Tournament in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho which is a really fun event run by Jennifer Badertscher. Jennifer runs a high school program and Lakeland Judo Dojo. Meanwhile, the 2024 Mid State Judo Championships in Jefferson City, MO, hosted by Joshua Lehman and his dojo, Jefferson City Judo & Jujitsu, showcased the diversity of talent in the mid-west. This event was held at their beautiful and state of the art facility. Furthermore, we hosted the 2024 North Coast Judo Championships in Avon, OH, alongside Paul Jordan from Chu Tu Bu which featured three mat areas and some amazing support staff. Then back to Wakefield, MA for the exhilarating 2024 Jimmy Pedro's Judo Challenge which was a USA Judo Point Event in Danvers, MA. This event featured some top tier competition. For a full read up on the Pedro's Challenge click here. Following the Pedro's Challenge American Judo hosted the prestigious Neil Adams for a Judo clinic n Wakefield, MA, offering judokas invaluable learning experiences. American Judo sponsored Neil's trip to the United States allowing dojos all over the East Coast to experience and learn from the great Neil Adams. The month concluded with the exciting 2024 Starrett Spring Invitational Judo Tournament in Brooklyn, NY alongside our friend Parnel Legros.
Throughout these events, American Judo has been honored to provide essential services such as customer support, registration, awards*, event mats*, and digital marketing materials. Our commitment to excellence extends beyond the mat, ensuring that every aspect of the participant experience is seamless and enriching.
We are immensely proud to have directly engaged with over 2000 judokas from diverse backgrounds and regions across the country. These interactions have not only strengthened our bonds as a community but also fueled our collective passion for the art of judo.
Furthermore, American Judo's collaboration with USA Judo and the United States Judo Federation to sanction each event respectively underscores our unwavering commitment to safety and inclusivity. By working hand in hand with coaches and referees from across the nation, we are able to provide a safe, inclusive and positive judo enviroment.
As we look ahead to the rest of 2024, let's carry forward the spirit of camaraderie, growth, and celebration that defines American Judo. Together, we will continue to elevate our sport to new heights, one throw, one hold, and one victory at a time.
Thank you to all who have been part of this incredible journey. Here's to a future filled with boundless opportunities and unforgettable moments on and off the mat.
Interested in partnering with American Judo?
At American Judo, we believe in the power of collaboration and community-building. That's why we're excited to extend an invitation to dojos across the country to partner with us in operating or considering starting their judo tournaments. Together, we can create vibrant, inclusive events that showcase the best of our sport while fostering camaraderie and growth within the judo community. If you're interested in exploring this opportunity further, please don't hesitate to reach out to Riley McIlwain, the Events Coordinator, at events@americanjudo.com. We look forward to the possibility of working together to elevate judo in your area!
