Pedro Kolychkine

Judo Biography

Pedro Kolychkine was born in 1964, started his Judo practice with his grandfather in Havana, Cuba at an early age.

When speaking of historical and philosophical perspective as it relates to Pedro, one must first mention that he is carrying his grandfather’s legacy. The A. Kolychkine Judo Foundation is named after his grandfather, for he is the driving force behind opening the dojo. Andre Kolychkine was a student of Sensei Kawaishi and introduced Judo in Cuba in 1951. Andre Kolychkine organized and created the Cuban Judo Federation; he was the key organizer and founder of the Pan-American Judo Confederation in Havana, Cuba in 1952 and organizer of the 1st Pan-American Judo Championship at the same time in Havana, Cuba.

In the year 2000, Pedro opened his dojo in Miami, Florida, to continue his grandfather’s noble and historic legacy with deep Japanese roots, philosophy, and culture.

Pedro’s way of viewing Judo as a discipline, a martial art and a way of life, influences the way the art is practiced and taught in his dojo. He draws in numerous high Dan judokas such as; Luis Guardia 9th dan (Cuban Judo Founder), Heriberto Garcia 8th dan (also Cuban Judo Founder), Larry Labrador 8th Dan, Amarilis Savon 7th Dan; World Champion and 3 time Olympic Medalist, Hector Estevez, Pan American Champion and IJF A Olympic Referee, Gerardo Tello and Sergio Suguieda (national and international kata medalists)
among others.

He graduated in 1988 with a Bachelor’s in Science, specializing in Judo. He has been teaching Judo since 1983.

Judo teaching experience

1983–88 School of Medicine – Havana, Cuba
1988–92 Medicine Faculty Julio Trigo – Havana, Cuba
1992–93 Hatashita Judo Club – Toronto, Ontario
1993–98 Miami Judo Club – Miami, Florida
2000–Present A. Kolychkine Judo Foundation – Miami, Florida

Pedro has participated in Post Graduated courses, Scientific Forums and Seminars, in Judo & Related Disciplines.

January 1987 – International Post Graduate course “Profound Study of Judo”
– Havana, Cuba
January 1988 – Post graduate course, Basic Study of Judo – Havana, Cuba
May 1989 – Tutor of Scientific Student Forum “Anatomic Study of Judo techniques” – Havana, Cuba
July 1989 – Author, II Sport & Physical Education Scientific Forum “Anatomic Study of Judo techniques” – Havana, Cuba
September 1989 – Post Graduate course New Vision of the practical, strategic, and technical aspects of Karate Do – Havana, Cuba.
February 1990 – Post Graduate course – Pedagogy (Education), Havana, Cuba.
March 1992 – Author I Scientific Forum of Professors – School of Medicine, Havana, Cuba.
“Biomechanics Study of Judo Techniques”
May 1992 – Tutor, Scientific Student Forum “Anatomic & Biomechanics Study on the supporting foot in some combat sports”.
Dec 2014 – Speaker, Florida State Judo Yudanshakai Clinic – Miami, Florida
“A
methodological approach to Tokui Waza”
October 2022 – Speaker, United States Judo Federation Annual Meeting “New Didactics of Judo” – San Francisco, CA
December 2024 – Speaker, USJF Teacher Certification Seminar “New Didactics of Judo” A new approach to Judo teaching – Miami, FL

His skills further extend to other Martial Arts; Black Belt in Aikido and Jujitsu Kansen Ryu (A system of self-defense originated in Cuba and Spain) in which he has a Black Belt 4th degree.

A. Kolychkine Judo Foundation was the first Judo dojo teaching self-defense in South Florida.

Pedro organized a self-defense and No Gi group for Judo students and have been teaching it for several years.

Pedro is a USJF Certified Self-defense Train the Trainer.

Leadership in the dojo, Yudanshakai, USJF, and the community –

Pedro Kolychkine and the A. Kolychkine Judo Foundation have been a great support in numerous Judo events, whether Regional, National and International Judo Tournaments in the US.
Member of the Organizing Committee and Sponsor of the Pan Am Judo Championships, Miami, FL 2008.
Sponsor, IJF Judo World Cup & U.S. Open held in South Florida, May 2012.
Main Sponsor and help in many aspects of World Judo Master Championships; Doral, November 2012.
Sponsor, Miami Grand Prix – Doral, Florida, June 2013.
August 2013 – Sponsor, IJF Cadet World Championships – World Championships Miami Cadets
October 2014 – Main Sponsor and assisted in various aspects of the organization for the IJF World Junior Judo Championships– Ft. Lauderdale, FL
January 2015 – Sponsor, Pan-American Cup
2015 – Sponsor of Cadet Pan American Cup, Miami
November 2016 – Sponsor World Judo Masters Championships – Ft. Lauderdale, FL
Sponsor of U.S. Open & Junior US Open Championships, (Gerry Navarro’s tournament) for several years.
2020 – Member of the Organizing Committee & Sponsor USJF & USJA Nationals, Ft. Lauderdale, FL
2024 – Sponsor of the IJF 2024 World Veterans & Kata Championships, Las Vegas, NV

USA Judo Team Manager
2008 – USA Judo Team Manager – World Masters Judo Championships – Brussels, Belgium
2008 – USA Judo Team Manager – Pan Am Masters Championships – Dominican
Republic

Florida State Judo Yudanshakai and USJF

Pedro has been a member of the Florida State Judo Yudanshakai Board of Directors since its creation, holding positions of President, Vice President, Development Director, and Member of the Promotion Committee.

Pedro is a member of the Executive Committee of USJF.

Pedro’s support and leadership in the Yudanshakai and the A. Kolychkine Judo Foundation brought many clinics and Judo events/activities to South Florida.

September 2015 – Clinic with Ilias Iliadis: Organized and supported the organization of Ilias Iliadis (Greece) tour to U.S. starting in Miami. Ilias is Olympic Champion, 3-time World Champion, and European Champion. This clinic had the largest caliber Judoka Clinic in South Florida in recent years and included participation of judokas from different states and foreign countries.
April 2018 – Organized and hosted Clinic with Driulis Gonzales from Cuba. Driulis is Olympic Champion and 3-time World Champion and recognized as the most decorated female, per IJF.
February 2016 – Organized and hosted Clinic with Sun-ho Choi. Korean and Asian Champion & Coach of the Korean Professional Team.
Organized and hosted Clinic with Naoya Haraguchi, Tokai University Instructor.
Organized and hosted Clinic for Judo Katas with Pedro Rodriguez Dabauza
from Spain.
February 2017 – Organized and hosted numerous Referee Clinics, for example with Mr. Joon Chi IJF A
June 2024 – Organized and hosted the 1st Children Judo Ne Waza Tournament in South Florida
December 2024 – Organizer, hosted and Speaker at the USJF Teacher Certification Seminar, Miami, FL

Pedro’s dojo, A. Kolychkine Judo Foundation, has been the center for all Judo activities related to United States Judo Federation in South Florida and the heart of the FSJY.

Pedro was promoted to Rokudan by USJF in the year 2020 and has been the Head Judo Instructor & owner of his dojo, A. Kolychkine Judo Foundation, for 25 years, selflessly contributing to Judo.

Students of A. Kolychkine Judo Foundation, especially the Children and Veterans, have participated in local, national, and international competitions.

In April of 2025, Pedro was appointed as Director of Recognition (commission), of the Pan-American Judo Confederation.

In April of 2025, the International Judo Federation nominated Pedro as a member of the Grades and Dan Commission of the IJF.

Pedro Kolychkine