The IJF Descends on Uchida Hall

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 Chuck Jefferson, the location carries special meaning.

"When we began putting this event together, I always felt Uchida Hall was where it belonged. There is so much history in that room. Sensei Uchida spent his life bringing people together, educating them, and looking for ways to move judo forward. To have the IJF coming to San Jose and continuing that tradition is very special."

For more than seven decades, Yosh Uchida helped establish San José State as one of the most influential judo programs in the United States. The program became known for producing champions, Olympians, coaches, and leaders, but its impact has always extended far beyond medals.

Current SJSU Varsity Head Coach and Olympic medalist Mike Swain, who has been part of the program for nearly 45 years, sees Tina's visit as another meaningful chapter.

"We are very proud of the athletes who have come through San José State and competed at the highest levels of judo, but this program has always been about much more than medals and championships. Our responsibility is to educate young judoka, help them grow through judo, and hopefully send better human beings out into society. That is very much in the spirit of what Jigoro Kano envisioned for judo."

- Mike Swain, Head Coach, San José State University Judo

That larger community impact is also what longtime SJSU instructor and San Jose Open Head Referee David Williams is excited to share.

"We're excited to welcome Tina to San Jose and have the opportunity to learn from someone with her incredible experience. Just as importantly, I'm excited for her to see the strength of the Judo community we have here - coaches, referees, athletes, and families who truly care about the sport.

"San Jose has a special Judo tradition, and this is a great opportunity to bring everyone together and showcase what makes our community so strong."

- David Williams, Head Referee, San Jose Open & longtime SJSU Judo instructor

Trstenjak brings a rare combination of competitive and technical experience. The Slovenian is an Olympic Champion, World Champion, and IJF Referee Director, and the September 18 seminar will give Northern California coaches and referees the opportunity to learn directly from one of the sport's leading international voices.

The seminar will include discussion and on-mat instruction covering current IJF rules, scoring situations, difficult calls, referee interpretations, and the continued evolution of competitive judo.

For Judo United, the event reflects a broader goal: connecting the local judo community with the highest levels of international education while honoring the history that helped make San Jose such an important judo center.

And there may be no better place for that than Uchida Hall.

Sensei Uchida would be proud.

Coaches & Referee Seminar with Tina Trstenjak

Friday, September 18, 2026

2:00-7:00 PM

Yoshihiro Uchida Hall - San José State University

Limited Space available: Sign up Today!