A Journey of Connection Through Judo For Julien Brulard, known around the world as The Judo Nomad, every dojo is an opportunity to learn, share, and build friendships. His United States tour began right here in California, with CJ Judo in San Jose serving as his first stop. The venture was organized by Jonathan Cotte of Griffin Judo, whose efforts helped bring Julien to the United States and connect him with the Bay Area judo community. One Mission, a World of Dojos A French

Training, friendship, and a firsthand look at the World Judo Championships made for an unforgettable week in Azerbaijan. Azerbaijan National Training Center - Cadet Team with "Baku Expereince" team Judo can take you much further than the competition mat. For the athletes, families, and coaches who joined Judo United’s Baku Experience, a week in Azerbaijan brought that idea to life through exceptional training, cultural discovery, new friendships, and access to the sport’s bi

2026 San Jose Open: Our Best Yet—and Just Getting Started The 2026 San Jose Open brought more than 1,000 athletes from across the country to The Plex in San Jose, California, for an incredible weekend of judo, community, and competition. From athletes stepping onto the competition mat for the first time to experienced competitors chasing championship medals, this year’s event showcased the passion and dedication that make our judo community special. It was our best San Jose O

The IJF Descends on Uchida Hall Continuing a Legacy of Judo Excellence at San José State University There are few places in American judo more fitting to welcome the International Judo Federation than Yoshihiro Uchida Hall at San José State University. On Friday, September 18, Olympic Champion and IJF Referee Director Tina Trstenjak will come to San Jose for a special Coaches & Referee Seminar organized by Judo United. For Judo United CEO and former SJSU athlete and coach Ch

For many people in the Northern California Judo community, the name Jonah Ewell will immediately bring back memories of Oakland Judo and later 510 Judo in San Leandro. For more than a decade, Jonah did something American Judo needs more of: he built. He built a club, developed students, created a community, learned how to make a Judo school financially sustainable, and ultimately built something he was able to pass on. Now, after moving his family to Waco, Texas, Jonah is doi

Expanded Team Championships at the 2026 San Jose Open At Judo United, we believe there is more than one way to build a great judo program. Traditionally, most tournaments recognize only the top overall teams based on total points earned across every division. We will continue that tradition at the 2026 San Jose Open with our Grand Champions – Overall Team award, but this year we are taking team recognition a step further. For 2026, the San Jose Open will recognize the Top 3 t

American judo has another World Champion! Sebastian Teran of Ki-Itsu-Sai National Training Center in Florida captured the -55kg title at the 2026 Cadet World Championships in Guayaquil, Ecuador, becoming just the second American ever to win a Cadet World Championship. The 16-year-old Teran, who trains under longtime coaches German Velazco and Jhonny Prado, has been steadily making his way up the international ranks. A lifelong judoka, Teran entered the World Championships as

For many American judoka, training in Japan can feel like something reserved for Olympians, national team athletes, or elite competitors. Griffin Judo is showing that it doesn’t have to be. This summer, the California-based club took approximately 30 athletes, coaches, and family members to Japan for more than two weeks of training, education, and cultural immersion. Twenty-two judoka participated in the judo portion of the trip, including five coaches, with athletes rangi

When Judo United announced its plans for the future last month, we shared a simple vision. We want to create more opportunities for everyone in the judo community. That means meaningful experiences for athletes, coaches, referees, and the families who support our sport every weekend. It means bringing world-class education to California, creating unforgettable events, and connecting our community with some of the most respected people in international judo. As we began planni

Across California, many judo clubs dream about having their own dedicated facility. For Shane Thompson and Rocklin Judo, that dream has become a reality. After years of steady growth, Rocklin Judo recently opened the doors to a brand-new, nearly 4,000-square-foot facility designed specifically for the needs of its athletes, families, and coaches. More than just a larger training space, the new dojo represents years of planning, significant personal investment, and a commitmen

Over the past four years, the San Jose Open has grown into one of the largest and most respected judo tournaments in the United States. That success has never belonged to one person or one organization—it has been built by the athletes, coaches, clubs, referees, volunteers, and families who have supported our events year after year. Today, I'm excited to share the next chapter of that journey. Beginning with the 2026 San Jose Open, the tournament will be sanctioned by Judo Un

The 2026 Golden State Open delivered one of the most exciting weekends in American judo this year, welcoming nearly 1,400 entries from athletes ranging from 5-year-old beginners to elite Senior and Veteran competitors at the Los Angeles Convention Center, future home of judo during the LA28 Olympic Games. Among the many standout performances, two young athletes rose above the rest. Rose Ortiz of Guerreros Judo Club in La Puente, California, and Thor Guerrero of Hawaii Judo Ac

Zoltan Bathory & Joe Marchal to attend Golden State Open!

Judo United Congratulates Griffin Judo Club on the Grand Opening of their new facility in Berkley California! The Judo community continues to grow, and Judo United would like to extend its congratulations and best wishes to Griffin Judo Club as they begin an exciting new chapter. Founded by passionate judoka and longtime contributors to the sport, Griffin Judo Club represents the type of leadership and commitment that helps strengthen and expand our judo community. Foun

Judo United and IJF Announce “Baku Experience” Athlete Awards at the Golden State Open. Judo United is proud to announce that the Local Organizing Committee for the 2026 World Judo Championships in Baku, in collaboration with the Azerbaijan Judo Federation, will award two special “Baku Experience” packages at the upcoming Golden State Open. The awards will be presented to one male and one female athlete competing in the IJF Junior divisions, creating an extraordinary intern

Judo United is proud to announce the beginning of a new collaboration with the International Judo Federation (IJF) aimed at strengthening and expanding the growth of judo in the United States.

The 2026 Cadet and Junior Pan American Championships in Guayaquil, Ecuador showcased the rising level of talent across the Americas, and the United States delivered one of its strongest performances in recent years. At the Cadet Pan American Championships, Team USA captured 12 total medals, including two golds, improving on last year’s impressive 10-medal performance. The result highlights the continued growth of the American development pipeline and the depth of young talent

A Weekend of Learning, Energy, and World-Class Judo The 2026 San Jose Training Camp, hosted by Judo United, once again brought the California judo community together for an unforgettable weekend at The Plex in San Jose. With more than 250 athletes, coaches, and families attending from clubs across the state, the event delivered exactly what it promised—high-level instruction, great energy on the mats, and a powerful sense of community. World-Class Instruction The teen and adu

California Athletes Qualify for Cadet & Junior Pan American Championships Four standout athletes with strong ties to the California judo community have earned the opportunity to represent the United States at the Cadet and Junior Pan American Championships , taking place April 27–29 in Guayaquil, Ecuador . Sascha Leviano (Griffin Judo), Liam Kesler (CJ Judo), Jonathan Yang (NYAC), and Iya Sadanchikova (San Jose State University) all secured their spots on the U.S. team afte

2025 San Jose Open – Event Review A Record-Setting Third Edition for One of America’s Premier Judo Events The third annual San Jose Open delivered another unforgettable weekend of world-class judo, bringing nearly 1,100 competitors and more than 120 teams from across the United States to Northern California. The energy inside The Plex was electric from start to finish, fueled by powerhouse clubs, rising stars, and veteran champions who showed up ready to battle. A National