Congratulations to Molly O’Rourke, Annie Shiraishi and Nate Torra for their recent promotion to Yondan (Fourth Degree Black Belt)! On Saturday October 6, Molly, Annie and Nate all performed Kime no Kata for the class. In attendance were special guests Dr. Kuniko Takeuchi and Sensei Haruo Makimoto, both from Okubo Judo Club in Sacramento.

Thank you to all the referees, volunteers and competitors who made our tournament a huge success! 2012 EBJI Tournament Results Junior Division Male  White to Yellow Belt ages 5-6 1. Skyler Orozco – Salinas Judo Club 2. Sebastian Lim – Okubo Judo Club 3. Matteo Quale – Hanabi White to Yellow Belt ages 6-7 1. […]

Over 500 competitors from around the country gathered at the USJF Junior National Championships this past weekend to participate in the two-day tournament with hopes of winning a National Title.  The tournament was held at the Spokane Convention Center in downtown Spokane, Washington. Several local athletes have been training for months in preparation for this […]

Thanks EBJI for making our Junior National Fundraiser a huge success! We raised over $1300 to help send out kids to the 2012 USJF Junior Nationals in Spokane. Without your support, it wouldn’t have been possible. Also, congratulations to the following people who won prizes: $25 Barney’s Gift Card: Lili Kwan $25 Barney’s Gift Card: […]

By Sayaka Matsumoto It’s hard to believe that it is less than 30 days until the start of the 2012 London Summer Olympic Games. The Olympics have always held a special place in my heart. Even from a young age, I remember making the Olympic rings with my cheerios as I ate breakfast, although I didn’t […]

Would you like to donate to help get our Junior National competitors to the 2012 USJF Junior Nationals? The event will be held on July 6-7, 2012 in Spokane, Washington. Every dollar you donate will go to the athletes attending the competition: Estefany Gonzalez, Nico Gonzalez, Sato Matsumoto, Masa Matsumoto, Nathan Canadas, Curtis Booth, Ashley Booth […]

Most of you know or have seen Annie Shiraishi around the dojo. An active competitor and representative of EBJI, Annie has been pursuing her Olympic dream since being named an Alternate to the 2008 Olympic Judo Team. She has dedicated the past 4 years to training and travelling in an effort to make the 2012 […]

The 2012 Senior National Championships were held in Dallas, Texas on April 21-22, 2012. Athletes from around the country competed, all vying for national titles in their respective weight divisions. Representing EBJI were Annie Shiraishi and honorary member Mike Eldred.  Mike, who trains regularly out of the Western Idaho Judo Institute in Fruitland, Idaho competed […]

EBJI members made their second annual trip to Twin Falls, Idaho this past weekend to compete at the CSI Judo Championships. Estefany Gonzalez (15), Ociane Canadas (17), Nathan Canadas (13), Nico Gonzalez (13), Nick Wood (12), Sato Matsumoto (12), Masa Matsumoto (12) and Taka Matsumoto (10) traveled with coaches Ken Kokka Sensei and Sayaka Matsumoto […]

Congratulations to new Shodans Jared Beane and Leslie Lippard (featured above)! Both Jared and Leslie performed the first three sets of Nage-No-Kata at our March Promotional to receive their first degree black belts.