© 2025, Katsuo Watanabe, all rights reserved.
Katsuo Watanabe
Judo Biography
Sensei Watanabe has devoted his life to judo with a significant impact on the development of Judo in the Northeast of the United States and beyond. Over six decades, his contributions span Tournament leadership, coaching, program administration, instruction and the development of judo.
Sensei Watanabe started his judo at Tohoku High School, was promoted to Shodan by the Kodokan and continued his competitive career while studying Economics and training at Nihon University.
Sensei Watanabe moved to the U.S. in the early 1960s to help build judo in the country. He is truly one of the founding pioneers of judo in the United States.
Katsuo Watanabe
© 2025, Katsuo Watanabe, all rights reserved.
Coaching and Tournament Administration
- Coaching: Sensei Watanabe has been Head Coach at multiple events including the Metropolitan A.A.U., for the New York team at the Pan American Trials, Junior National Teams, Senior National Teams, and multiple regional and local tournaments since the 1970s.
- Instruction: Sensei Watanabe has been the Head of Watanabe Judo & Aikido for over 50 years. Over this time, we estimate that he has trained over 50 people to the level of Shodan or higher, as well as produced multiple national level referees and other officials.
- Sensei Watanabe taught at Nihon University Summer Camp from 1963–1977 and was Director of the camp from 1974–1977.
- Tournament Administration: Sensei Watanabe has been the tournament director for many U.S. tournaments in New York, New Jersey and Connecticut. He also co-founded the East Coast Judo Championships, which is one of the leading tournaments for U.S. Judo.
- Sensei Watanabe has been a Hudson Judo Yudanshakai Promotion Board member for over 30 years, including two periods where he Chaired the Yudankashai Board of Examiners, during 2001–2005.
Watanabe, Kyoshi Shiina, John Bassano
© 2025, Katsuo Watanabe, all rights reserved.
Students of Sensei Watanabe include
- Allen Coage, 1976 Olympic Bronze medalist and Pan American Games Heavyweight Champion
- Sid Kelly, Great Britain Middleweight Champion
- Jorge Gonzales, Silver Cuban Middleweight Champion
- Lisa Hahn, Gold Medal Maccabiah Games
- Odell Terry, Silver Middleweight U.S. Nationals
- Mel Applebaum, President of the New York Area Judo Association and IJF Level A Referee
- Eve Aranoff, U.S. Olympian and World Medalist
- Robert Jackeal, U.S, Junior Champion
(Top right to left) Watanabe, Shiina, Motoy, and at the end is Matsumura. Bottom (left to right) Shimamoto, Yonezuka, Ogasawara
© 2025, Katsuo Watanabe, all rights reserved.
Community Judo Programs
His community impact is as meaningful as his impact on U.S. Judo. Alongside running his own dojo for six decades, Sensei Watanabe led judo programs and credit earning courses at PACE University and Westchester Community College for over 50 years, introducing thousands of fresh faces to the sport of judo.
While it is undoubtably true that Sensei Watanabe has impacted judo at the highest levels of the United States, Sensei Watanabe’s biggest pleasure is introducing people to judo and seeing them develop and grow their passion for the sport. Nothing gets Sensei Watanabe more animated than running his own club tournament.
Watanabe, Yonezuka, Shiina
© 2025, Katsuo Watanabe, all rights reserved.
Matsumura, Watanabe, guest instructor, Higashi, Shiina, Kanokogi.
© 2025, Katsuo Watanabe, all rights reserved.
The Hudson Yudanshakai’s Letter of Nomination
We are honored to nominate Sensei Katsuo Watanabe, 8th Dan, for the USJF Lifetimg Achieveent Award, in recognition of his profound and sustained contributions to the development of judo in the United States over the past six decades.
A legacy of Leadership and Service
Sensei Watanabe has devoted his life to judo, leaving an indelible mark on the growth of the sport, particularly in the Northeast region of the United States. His influence spans tournament leadership, coaching, instruction, program administration and grassroots development.
Early Judo and Move to the United States
Sensei Watanabe began his judo journey at Tohoku High School and was promoted to Shodan by the Kodokan. He continued his competitive training while studying Economics and practicing judo at Nihon University. In the early 1960s, Sensei Watanabe moved to the United States with a mission to help build judo in this country. He stands among the true pioneers of American judo.
Coaching and Instruction
Head coach for numerous events including
- Metropolitan A.A.U.
- Pan American Trials (New York Team)
- Junior and Senior National Teams
- Multiple regional and local tournaments (1970 – present)
Head Instructor at Watanabe Judo and Akido for over 50 years
- Over fifty students promoted to Shodan or higher
- Multiple national-level referees and officials
Nihon University Summer Camp
- Instructor (1963–77)
- Camp Director (1974–7)
Tournament Administration and Leadership
Tournament Director for numerous events in New York, New Jersey and Connecticut
Co-founder of the East Coast Judo Championships a premier U.S. tournament still running today
Hudson Judo Yudanshakai Promotion Board Member for over 30 years (Board of Examiners Chair, 2001–5 and other terms)
Community Impact
In addition to his competitive and coaching accomplishments, Sensei Watanabe has made immeasurable impact through community judo programs. He led credit-bearing courses and programs at PACE University and Westchester Community College for more than 50 years, introducing thousands of students to the sport.
While Sensei Watanabe’s influence has reached the highest levels of American judo, his greatest joy lies in sharing judo with beginners. Nothing energizes him more than hosting a club tournament, where he can see new judoka take their steps on the tatami.
Conclusion
Through his lifelong dedication to judo, Sensei Katsuo Watanabe has built a lasting legacy – not just in champions and tournaments, but in the hearts of students, the strength of judo communities and the very fabric of American judo history. He exemplifies the spirit and values of judo and is most deservinig of the USJF Lifetime Achievement Award.
Boris Munoz, President Hudson Yudanshakai