Edwin Takemori

Edwin Takemori

Judo Biography

Edwin Takemori, a highly accomplished judoka, achieved his Shodan (1st degree black belt) in 1957 and currently holds the prestigious rank of Hachidan (8th degree black belt). His journey in judo began in the early 1950s at the Washington Judo Club, where he trained under the guidance of his older brother, Jimmy Takemori, along with esteemed instructors such as Donn Draeger and Kenzo Uyeno. In 1960, Edwin became a member of the Kodokan and later, in 1970, he obtained certification in the study of Shido Muso Ryu Judo.

Edwin Takemori and Kosei Inoue

Reflecting on his early days in judo, Edwin fondly remembers the rigorous training regimen that he and his brother adhered to, practicing seven days a week. He credits his brother for instilling in him the values of hard work, dedication, and the art of teaching judo to others. Mr. Richard Riehle fondly recalls Edwin’s dedication to judo, which began when they were both teenagers. Edwin possessed a superb Ashi-Harai technique and often surprised newly promoted Shodan with his ability to throw them, despite his young age.

Throughout his competitive career, spanning from 1955 to 1980, Edwin Takemori’s legacy in the world of judo is a testament to his unwavering commitment to the sport, his exceptional skill and talent, and his dedication to passing on his knowledge to future generations of judoka.Edwin achieved remarkable success by securing first place in over 30 tournaments, often competing in weight categories 20-30 pounds above his own. Not only did he serve as a valuable training partner for Jim Bregman, the 1964 Judo Olympian Gold Medalist, but Edwin also qualified for and participated in the 1964 Olympic trials.

1964 Olympic Trials Certificate

Throughout his illustrious career, Edwin has been the recipient of numerous awards and accolades for his outstanding contributions to the world of Judo. His passion and expertise in Judo led him to establish his first Judo club, the Goddard Judo Club, in 1963. Over the years, he went on to establish five more clubs before being approached by his brother Jimmy to take over as the head coach of the US Naval Academy Judo Team in 2001, a position he still holds to this day.

Deerfield Judo Club

In addition to his role in running Judo clubs, Edwin has been actively involved in various capacities within the Judo community. He has served as an officer of Shufu Yudanshakai for many years, acted as a referee, kata judge, and tournament director for numerous events. Edwin’s dedication to the sport is further exemplified by his continued involvement as a member of the Shufu Board of Examiners and Board of Directors. His expertise as a referee has earned him the prestigious title of National Referee Emeritus.

Referee Edwin Takemori

One of Edwin’s most cherished memories is when Keiko Fukuda-sensei invited him to be a Ju-no-Kata judge during her visit to the Washington Judo Club. This experience marked the beginning of Edwin’s journey as a National Kata judge at the Senior Nationals, a role he fulfilled from the 1970s to the 2000s. Edwin’s legacy in the world of kata is a testament to his unwavering dedication, expertise, and passion for judo. His contributions have left an indelible mark on the Judo community, and his impact will be felt for generations to come.

Shiai is essential for the growth and development of young judoka. In order to facilitate this growth, Edwin organized and ran two local tournaments for several years: the Tucker Road Invitational and the Prince Georges Invitational, both held annually on the first weekend of December. Throughout the 1990s, Edwin also served as the tournament director for the Capital Classic and established two additional tournaments. One was created in honor of his esteemed student who tragically lost his battle with cancer, known as the James J. Burrell Memorial Team Championships. The other tournament, the Faye Allen Memorial Kata Tournament, was established in memory of a dear friend. These tournaments are noteworthy as they introduced team and kata competitions to the East Coast at a time when they were scarce. Additionally, he organized the Shufu Yonen Tournament for children aged 12 and under, providing an opportunity for novice referees with valuable experience. One of his significant contributions was hosting the Shufu Yudanshakai Promotional Examination and Shiai, further showcasing his dedication to the sport and the new generations of judoka.

Successful showing by Naval Academy Judo Team

In an effort to prepare the next generation of instructors, coaches, and referees, Edwin served as a clinician at several USJF-USJI Teachers Clinics in the late 1990s and early 2000s. He also conducted a training class for examiners on the Shufu Board of Examiners, focusing on proper examination techniques. Despite the inconvenience to his family, Edwin readily accepted invitations to travel across the country to assist and mentor clubs in teaching, hosting clinics, and organizing tournaments.

Edwin’s approach to Judo can be best encapsulated in his own words, “The purpose of my instruction is to teach judo as a sport. Many people think the striking and kicking they see on T.V. is judo. It is not. While many adult students who hold a brown belt rank or higher will learn katas (prescribed routines with a partner) that use strikes, kicks and weapons, these techniques are not permitted in daily open practice. Children and most adults only study the sport aspects of judo. Judo is practiced by all ages and requires all types of players: free-style and kata competitors, and recreational or non-competitors. I begin teaching students as early as 4 years old and have begun with students as old as 60. I encourage all my students to compete a few times. This gives non-competing students an appreciation for those who do compete and gives an understanding of the commitment sport competition takes. Children, however, do not begin to compete until they are 6 or 7 years old.”

Edwin demonstrating proper shime-waza

It is challenging to fully capture the extent of Edwin’s influence on judo within the Shufu Yudanshakai community. He is renowned for his insightful commentary, motivational speeches, inspirational teachings, and dedication to all facets of judo. His presence has become so ingrained in the fabric of Shufu Yudanshakai that imagining judo without him is nearly impossible.

Edwin demonstrating proper shime-waza

Edwin joking with the next generation

Edwin’s legacy in the world of judo is a testament to his unwavering commitment to the sport, his exceptional skill and talent, and his dedication to passing on his knowledge to future generations of judoka. During an interview with a local newspaper, when asked what would make him retire, Edwin responded in true Takemori-sensei fashion, stating, “They’d have to bury me six feet under” This response exemplifies his unwavering commitment and passion for judo, showcasing his determination to continue contributing to the sport he loves.

Achievements

Class “A” Certified (Master) Instructor, USJI
Class “C” Certified (National) Coach, USJI
National Certified Referee, USJI (retired)
“A” Certified Kata Judge in Nage no Kata, Katame no Kata, and Ju no Kata
PACE Levels I & II Certified

Edwin Takemori

Judo Biography

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