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Grant for 100 USJF clubs

Fill out this USJF survey form for $100 grant

Good morning USJF community,

Last month, USJF put together a small grant program for those USJF clubs that have been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. The grant will provide 100 USJF clubs $100, taking into consideration financial need and effective usage judged by an ad hoc committee. We understand this is a very small amount, but we hope this can provide some relief, whether it is used to buy telecommunication software to host virtual class (e.g. Zoom), partially pay rent, subsidize club dues for your students, etc. For those who do not need this, please pass this along to your fellow USJF clubs that do need any help. Please go to the form to apply.

Please reach out to us if there are any questions, comments, or concerns.

Sincerely,
Mark Muranaka, USJF

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Judo survey

Dear Athlete,

I am conducting a study on judo engagement and retention, sport specialization, and injuries and hope that you might participate.

I am conducting this research because of a paucity of published data on these topics within American judo and hope to identify ways to improve athlete engagement and success in the sport as well as promoting the health and well-being of the athlete. The study consists of a survey that will take approximately 5-10 minutes to complete. The survey is anonymous and no personally identifying information will be collected. Your participation in this study is completely voluntary and confidential. In order to be eligible for the study you must be a current or former judo athlete and at least 18 years of age. For questions about the survey,

If you have questions, concerns, or suggestions about your rights as a research participant please contact the UCLA Office of the Human Research Protection Program (OHRPP):

  • by phone: (310) 206-0240
  • by mail
    Box 951406,
    Los Angeles, CA90095-1406

Thank you for your participation in this study!

Please click this link to begin the survey

Best,
Jeff Fujimoto, MD, MBA
Dena Florczyk, MD

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Letter from Koka Kids

Hi to the members of the USJF

Hello from Great Britain!

I’m Nik Fairbrother (World judo champion and Olympic silver medalist). I’m also the creator of Koka Kids, a program that helps junior judoka learn more about judo and supplies coaches with teaching resources.

Judo is facing one of its toughest challenges right now, but I’m confident the judo community is strong enough to pull through it. We are used to fighting, and if we stay united and work to help one another, we will overcome this battle.

I’ve been using lockdown to animate the entire Gokyo! And I’d like to share this page with you:

Judo Throws: The Ultimate Guide

Coaches, please feel free to link to this resource from your website, and use it for reference during your Zoom classes.

This Judo Throws page has every single technique of The Gokyo animated.

Here you can learn every judo technique there is in the judo syllabus.

Learn by watching an animation of each waza. Each judo technique has been animated to help you visualize the throw.

Just click on the name of a throw to go to a full tutorial.

Find out how to link the throws into combinations and discover the counters you need to watch out for!

Please enjoy the resource!

Judo Throws: The Ultimate Guide

Do remember, even if we can’t go back on the tatami, there is still a lot we can do to keep our fitness and judo skills ticking over.

Train on your own using Shadow Judo, or use resistance bands to do Uchikomi in your home or garden.

Why not try and complete the Uchikomi Challenge – we provide free certificates for coaches or judoka to download and print and use.

If you would like any more information please do get in touch.

All the best,
Nik Fairbrother (7th Dan)
Koka Kids Editor
1992 Olympic Silver Medalist
1993 World Champion

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Sam S. Imoto, Sensei

It is with great regret to inform you of the passing of our head instructor Sam S. Imoto Sensei, who established the Visalia Judo Club in 1965.

It is with great sadness to announce the passing of Sam S. Imoto Sensei on April 29, 2020 after a lengthy illness. Imoto Sensei was born in June of 1927 in Lindsay, California to Yaohachi and Sami Imoto. He would have been 93 this coming June. He dedicated his life in giving back what he had learned in Judo and passed his knowledge to those who studied under him. Many of his former students were fortunate to have had the opportunity to be a part of his lifelong journey as a judoist.

Sam Imoto Continue reading “Sam S. Imoto, Sensei”

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Revised COVID-19 Guidance

A revised statement of practice has been issued. The full text is here and it includes the USOPC statement. The major addition to the document is below.

Return To Training Phases 1-5

The following is a very brief summary of the USOPC’s April 28, 2020, Return to Training Considerations Post-COVID-19 document. It is appended to the end of this guidance document.

Please be sure to read it in its entirety. Please be current and cognizant of the situation in your locale to ensure proper compliance with current rules and requirements.

Please keep in mind that the handling & treatments for the COVID-19 pandemic is a live, real-time experiment worldwide. It is impossible to impose a definitive timeline on the phased resumption of normal activity as the situation is very dynamic and fluid. Consequently, the return to activity phases depend on the situation and circumstance in your local jurisdiction. Your local public health authority’s assessments will determine the mandates/edicts they issue. It is vitally important that you are current and have a good understanding of these mandates/edicts. Please follow them closely to be compliant with public health standards. This will help you to protect the health and safety of your students, yourselves, and your community.

Regarding COVID-19 Testing:

There are now many different COVID-19 testing protocols and kits available. There are huge variations in pricing with little detailed information available regarding the accuracy and validity of these tests. Also, not all tests are available everywhere. This being so, though testing is important, it is difficult to recommend a particular protocol/test for people to take. Therefore, WE ARE NOT MAKING TESTING A REQUIREMENT.

Mandatory Temperature Checks:

Temperature checks are MANDATORY for everyone prior to entering the dojo/club/training facility once we reach Phase 3 & 4. The maximum acceptable temperature for entry is 100.4°F/38° C. Someone with a temperature that is higher than this is considered to have a fever.

Phase 1: Public health authorities require shelter in place, public training facilities are closed Dojos/clubs remain CLOSED. Individual home training & Virtual coaching ONLY.

Phase 2: Public health authorities lift shelter in place requirements, but continue to prohibit group activities and public training facilities remain closed Dojos/clubs remain CLOSED. Individual home training & Virtual coaching ONLY.

Phase 3: Public health authorities allow small group activities (< 10 people), but public training facilities remain closed Dojos/clubs remain CLOSED. Individual home training & Virtual coaching ONLY.

Phase 4: Public health authorities allow public training facilities to open, no limitations on group size.

Dojos/clubs may OPEN. Direct contact allowed to resume during this phase.

Phase 5: A vaccine or cure for COVID-19 is developed

Same as Phase 4. Continue infection prevention methods.