SFJI News

Welcome to the San Francisco JUDO Institute NEWS. The directors and the team of instructors will publish the SFJI News several times a year to keep the members of the dojo informed of events, schedules, practice and technique information, health guidance, tournament results, promotions and general news.

The San Francisco Judo Institute is a member of the HOKKA Judo Yudanshikai and United States Judo Federation. The HOKKA Judo Yudanshikai is a regional governing organization of local dojos and is a member of the USJF, a national sanctioning body for major rank promotions and national tournaments. The SFJI has followed the classic Kodokan teachings of judo and continues to do so to this day. The current team of instructors all have been students of Sensei Kimura and are pledged to continue his teachings. The SFJI is a not-for-profit educational organization and is entirely staffed by volunteer instructors. HOKKA publishes an annual schedule of tournaments and clinics. Clinics are held for referee certification, instructor and coaching certification and for Kata instruction and demonstration.

The SFJI News will be accepting contribution of articles, photos and any newsworthy information from our members or parents of members.

September 2008 News

THE SAN FRANCISCO JUDO INSTITUTE BLACK BELT ASSOCIATION

The SFJI has formed the SFJI Black Belt Association. Membership is open to all black belt members of SFJI. The SFJI Black Belt Association will meet regularly to plan a variety of critical dojo functions such as clinics, training sessions, tournament preparation, development of competitions teams, curriculum development, promotion evaluation, as well as potential social functions. Membership is voluntary with an annual contribution of $100.

SENSEI DAMON KEEVE

The SFJI has a wonderful history of being the home and place of development of some very significant judoka over the years. From National Champions to Olympians, the students of Sensei Kimura have represented the SFJI world wide. Damon Keeve. Rokudan, is a two time Olympian (Atlanta, 1992 and Barcelona, 1996), represented the USA at the Pan American Games, the Macabe Games and was seven time National Champion. Damon began his judo career at SFJI in 1969 and later was on the San Jose State University Judo team while still active at SFJI. We are fortunate that Damon has returned to SFJI bringing his daughter and two sons to join our ranks. His skills and dedication to judo and SFJI will be a benefit to us all. We will also be benefited with his sense of humor that he inherits from his father who was also an SFJI judoka in the late 60’s and early 70’s.

NEW ASSISTANT INSTRUCTORS

As the classes have become increasingly larger, the Senseis have asked several of the black and brown belts to assist in various parts of the training. The concept of judoka always trying to work with someone of a higher rank to take advantage of their experience is applied here at SFJI. Consequently we have established a new group of Assistant Instructors. Please approach them if you wish any specific support. They are:

Max Hung, Nidan
Oliver Reyes, Shodan
Jeff Garzona, Iklyu
Alix Desmole, Ikyu

KATA TRAINING

The practice of KATA, the formal demonstration of judo techniques, will begin as an integrated part of training for selected individuals. It is advisable that all judoka learn the basic nage no nata beginning at the brown belt ranks. Demonstration of knowledge of kata or attaining a certificate of attendance at a Hokka Kata Clinic is required for promotion to Shodan. Specific rules apply to various rank promotions as to type and level of kata required in the upper ranks. The three primary forms of kata are: nage no kata - throwing techniques, katame no kata – grappling techniques and go shin jitsu, self defense techniques. There are different katas for men and for women. The juno kata is the self defense techniques for women.

Kata will be instructed by Vincent Valverde, Leonard Auerbach, Leonard Evola and Molly Baudy. Initial sessions will begin at 6:30pm on Mondays and may also be scheduled at 8:30 after the junior session is complete. We will be posting a more definitive schedule when we discover the number of individuals interested in kata.

April 2008 News

February 2008 News