Members Chair
Mr. Low Dong, Nanka
Mrs. Francis Glaze, Konan
Mrs. Janet Y. Ashida Johnson, Niagara
Ms. Karen Nagai, Northwestern
Dr. Kuniko Takeuchi, Daiheigen
Mr. Sheldon Konno, 50th State
Mrs. Diane Tamai Jackson, Shufu
On behalf of the USJF Athlete-Scholar of the Year Committee (ASOY), thank you for continuing your educational opportunities and creating options for yourselves. It is a sincere desire of United States Judo Federation that you continue to open doors to opportunities and to be life-long learners and Champions of Character. It is USJF pleasure to award this financial assistance as a token of appreciate for your hard work and dedication.
The committee proudly selected the following members as the 2019 scholarship recipients:
- Abigail S. Sigurdson, Western Idaho Judo Institute, Daiheigen Yudanshakai, awarded the USJF scholarship to Boise State University. Her major is civil engineering.
- Tori Oishi, Taishi Judo Club, Nanka Yudanshakai, awarded the USJF scholarship to the University of California in Los Angeles. Her major is Biology as a Pre-Med student.
Thank you from your USJF Athlete Scholar of the Year committee!
Recipients
1994
Richard Rose, Nanka, Gardena Judo Club
Christine Shiosaki, Nanka, Harbor Judo Dojo
Harvey Takeda, Hokka, Sacramento Judo Club
1995
Chanin Sugimoto, Nanka, Gardena Judo Club, see her letter
Ryan Jung, Hokka, Sacramento Judo Club
Shannon Oyama, Wakagi Kai, AJA Judo Club
1996
Mark Imai, Nanka, Nishi Judo Club
Megan Williams, Central Coast, Albany YMCA Judo Club
Trenton J. Mitsuoka, Daiheigen, Okubo Judo Club
1997
Mark Imai, Nanka, Nishi Judo Club
Cynthia Kono, Nanka, Valley Judo Institute
Emily Wee, Konan, Macomb Y Judo Club
1998
Marc Uemuram, Hokka, Salinas Judo Club
Sayaka Matsumoto, Daiheigen, East Bay Judo Institute
Israel Trujillo, Hokka, Salinas Judo Club
1999
Sayaka Matsumoto, Daiheigen, East Bay Judo Institute
David Eldred, Daiheigen, Western Idaho Judo Institute
Marc Uemura, Hokka, Salinas Judo Club
2000
Sayaka Matsumoto, Daiheigen, East Bay Judo Institute
Cindy Imai, Nanka, Mojica Dojo
Lisa Uemura, Hokka, Salinas Judo Club
2001
Cindy M. Imai, Nanka, Mojica Judo Club
Lisa M. Uemura, Hokka, Salinas Judo Club
Michael M. Eldred, Daiheigen, Western Idaho Judo Institute
2002
Lisa M. Uemura, Hokka, Salinas Judo Michael H. Oshima, Rokushu, Tohoku Judo Club
Scott K. Uemura, Hokka, Salinas Judo Club
2003
Michael M. Eldred, Daiheigen, Western Idaho Judo Institute
Lisa M. Uemura, Hokka, Salinas Judo Club
Scott K. Uemura, Hokka, Salinas Judo Club
2004
Michael M. Eldred, Daiheigen, Western Idaho Judo Institute
Scott K. Uemura, Hokka, Salinas Judo Club
Eric H. Nakagawa, Central Coast, San Jose Buddhist Judo Club
2005
Michael M. Eldred, Daiheigen, Western Idaho Judo
Mitchell M. Yokogawa, Nanka, San Gabriel Judo Dojo see his letter
Sayaka A. Matsumoto, Daiheigen, East Bay Judo Institute
2006
Mitchell M. Yokogawa, Nanka, San Gabriel Judo Dojo
Michael M. Eldred, Daiheigen, Western Idaho Judo Institute
Steven M. Lee, Chuka, West Clovis Judo Club
2007
Michael M. Eldred, Daiheigen, Western Idaho Judo Institute
Steven M. Lee, Chuka, West Clovis Judo Club
2008
Steven Lee, West Clovis Judo, Chuka Yudanshakai
Megan Ishibashi, Sacramento Judo Club, Hokka Yudanshakai
Kelly Au, Victorious Judo Club, Chicago Judo Black Belt Assoc.
2009
Steven Lee, West Clovis Judo Club, Chuka Yudanshakai
Megan Ishibashi, Sacramento Judo Club, Hokka Yudanshakai
Grant Furukawa, Sacramento Judo Club, Hokka Yudanshakai
2010
Priscella Lee, West Clovis Judo Club, Chuka Yudanshakai
Steven Lee, West Clovis Judo Club, Chuka Yudanshakai
Megan Ishibashi, Sacramento Judo, HokkavYudanshaki
2011
Elaine Tandjung, Vallejo Judo, Hokka Yudanshakai
Kathleen Sell, Welcome Mat and Olympic Training Center, Chicago Yudanshakai
Daniela Gomez, Saito/Wee Dojo, Konan Yudanshakai
2012
Brice Oishi from Torrance CA
Diane Mikuni, Kapolei HI
Tyler Shimizu, El Grove CA
First place winner ($1000) is on the right, Brice Oishi from Torrance CA, second from the right is second place winner Diane Mikuni ($750) from Kapolei HI and third place third from the right is Tyler Shimizu from Elk Grove CA. The winners are pictured with Vaughn Imada, USJF vice president.
2013
Tyler Shimizu, Sacramento Judo Club, Hokka Yudanshakai
2014
On behalf of the Committee, thank you to all of the USJF Athlete-Scholar of the Year Award for 2014 Academic applicants! We encourage all eligible students to continue your academic and judo studies and to apply again next year.
The committee received 10 applications from outstanding USJF qualified members and after extensive deliberation the following three applicants were selected as the 2015 scholarship recipients
- Chase Oishi, Tarsh Judo Club, Nanka Yudanshakai
- Benjamin R. Hinatsu, Western Idaho Judo Institute, Daiheigen Yudanshakai
- Andrew Kageyama, Sacramento Judo Club, Hokka Yudanshakai
The official recognition and award ceremony will be at the Junior Nationals at the Indiana Convention Center in Indianapolis, Indiana on July 10- 12, 2015.
Athlete scholar of the year (ASOY) committee met at the USJF National meeting held April 29, 2015 at Irving Convention Center in Irving, Texas.
Chairman Jeff Takeda appointed 2 new members: Sensei Eiko Shepherd – Chicago Yudanshakai and Low Dong – Nanka Yudanshakai to the committee. Present were Eiko Shepherd – Chicago, Low Dong – Nanka, Bryan Matsuoka, Daiheigen, and Jeff Takeda – Hokka. Votes were submitted prior to the meeting by the following members: Margaret Catt – Daiheigen, Jim Takemori – Shufu, and Kuniko Takeuchi – Daiheigen