Masataka Hirayama
Masataka Hirayama passed away quietly February 23, 2026 at 85 years old. He was a long time Judoka of Hawaiian Judo. He began Judo in the 1950s on the island of Hawai’i (Big Island) and paralleled the beginnings of what is now USJF. From the 1970s to the 1990s...Passing of Sensei Dale Thompson – Florida Judo
Sensei Dale Thompson Florida Judo Leader, Rokudan, Mentor, and Builder of Community The Florida judo community mourns the passing of Dale Thompson, a lifelong judoka, respected teacher, and devoted leader whose influence shaped generations of athletes across the...
In memory of Neil Simon
Neil Simon Past President, United States Judo Federation & Konan Yudanshakai Neil Simon, past president of the United States Judo Federation (USJF) and Konan Yudanshakai, passed away on Friday, January 23, leaving behind a legacy of service, leadership, and deep...Tone Shimizu
Tone Shimizu died peacefully in hospice care on November 4, 2025, after suffering a stroke. Tone was born to Kameki Shimizu and Sotera Fernandez in Negros Oriental, Philippines on March 30, 1938. Tone moved with his family to Japan after the war. He grew up in...
