ABOUT US
The Fresno Judo Club is a non-profit organization that has been in existence for over 50 years and has instructed thousands of students from Fresno, Madera, Kings, and Tulare Counties. Judo is practiced as an international sport and its main purposes are physical fitness, self-defense, and developing good, moral character.
Fresno Judo Club is a member of the San Joaquin Valley Judo Yudanshakai (Association), United States Judo Federation, California Judo Incorporated, and USA Judo. We have been recognized as a Five Star Club by the United States Judo Federation and became a Century Club in 2018 for reaching over 100 members. We just recently moved to a new location and are very proud of our training platform which is unique in the Central Valley for the safety and comfort of our students.
Fresno Judo Club has classes every day of the week for a variety levels, from young to old. We have hosted guests from all over the United States and the world. Our students compete at local, state, national, and international tournaments and have won several state and national titles. Our instructors volunteer their time and teach to give back to the sport they love.
WHAT IS JUDO?
Judo is a modern Japanese martial art, an Olympic sport and now used in combat sport such as MMA. Judo was founded in 1882 in Japan by Dr. Kano Jigoro. Judo is an art similar to wrestling unlike karate, where it only emphasized on punching and kicking. In judo there are two main focuses, standup (tachi-waza) and grappling (ne-waza) techniques. Its most noticeable phase is the standup techniques, where one throws their opponent to the ground and immobilizes the opponent or using grappling maneuver such as pins, chokes, or joint lock to subdue or force an opponent to tap out.
OUR MISSION
Fresno Judo Club teaches and promotes judo for kids, teens, and adults. Fresno Judo Club instructors are dedicated to passing down their knowledge of Judo to all of their students, helping them to achieve self-discipline, greater responsibility toward oneself and community, and self-esteem through the practice of judo.
Ichi, Ni, San, She
(How to Throw Like a Girl)
We are grateful to have had the opportunity to share the story of the Fresno Judo Club by filmmaker Hans Steele.
A team of women Judoka (judo players) inherit a generational Judo dojo and their efforts to grow their club and share the wisdom of past Senseis with a new generation of Judoka.