USJF STORY~ Grace Talusan I started judo when I was in graduate school so I don’t have any childhood memories of growing up on the mat. My first judo memory was Mr. Ogasawara setting up two bean bags on the mat and having me roll between them for an hour straight, and...
The origin and meaning of our dojo name “Obukan”: the “O” refers to Oregon; Oregon was called “O-shu” or O-state by Japanese immigrants. “Bu” means martial training. “Kan” means building or training hall. Dr. Jigoro Kano, the founder of Judo, visited Oregon...
USJF STORY~ Brandon Kindelberger Madagascar!? “My name is Brandon Kindelberger and I’m a member of USJF. I’m okay to say that I am a ‘no name’ within the judo community. I can’t boast on any big competition wins, but I can say that judo has been a part of my life...
USJF STORY~ Krista Tsutsui Steele Fresno, CA —–> Seattle, WA “I’m Krista Tsutsui Steele and I’m a member of USJF. My judo story starts back in the 90s at the Fowler Judo Club in Central California where my dad took my siblings and me to learn the sport...
Sensei Janet Johnson Janet Johnson has become one of the most visible and prominent senseis and referees in the country, with a long career in teaching judo informed by her professional educator credentials, her parallel career as a primary school teacher, and...
USJF STORY~ Sayaka Torra I’m Sayaka Torra and I’ve been a member of USJF for over 30 years. I’m a 5th degree black belt, 2008 Olympian, and Senior Instructor at the East Bay Judo Institute. My dad, David Matsumoto, became the head instructor of EBJI in 1983 and 38...
Our loving father, Lawrence E. Fryar, 84, of Sun City, California, died peacefully at his home on Saturday, February 26, 2022. Larry met his late wife Nina when he was a young Navy sailor stationed in the Philippines. Larry and Nina fell in love, married and spent...
Jerry Hays Jerry Hays walked into the Phoenix, Arizona Boys Club as a (nearly) 14 year-old boy, beginning a judo career that extended for decades, throughout his career in the U.S. Navy, followed by an additional 15 years as a civilian working for the Navy,...
Mikayla Heston USJF Life Member Mikayla Heston, student of Sensei Julie Koyama, entered the 2022 Ore-Ida Judo Tournament in Ontario, Oregon. Ms. Heston is wheelchair bound with cerebral palsy but that didn’t stop her from participating. Mikayla is truly...
