Instructors

Vaughn Imada, Head Instructor

Daniel Kikuchi, Head Instructor

Jim Pennington, Head Instructor

Elaine Abad, Instructor

Rank: Yodan

Year started with the club: 1990

Certifications: Safe Sport; CDC; CPR; background check; Kata certification - Nage no Kata, Katame no Kata, GoshinJutsu,

Kime no Kata; Teacher's Certification

Occupation: dental hygienist

Spouse and children: married to Gino Abad, sons Allyn (Ana) & Nicholas (Jackie), daughter Trisha (Erick),10 grandchildren

Miscellaneous: teaching Prejudo & Female class, competed in Katame no Kata, Goshin jutsu, & Ju no Kat

Albert Kato, Instructor

Rank: Godan

Year started with the club: Started 1968-1980 and Returned 1990

Certifications: SafeSport, CDC, First aid and CPR, Background check, USA Judo Continental Coach

Occupation: QA Manager

Spouse and children: Mallory and Jonathan Kato

Miscellaneous: Instructor of Advanced Class, Coach Local/Regional/National/International competitors. National Champion.

Bill Horbaly, Instructor

Rank: Nidan

Year started with the club: 1992

Certifications: SafeSport, CDC, first aid and CPR, background investigation

Occupation: Clinical Laboratory Scientist / Clinical Microbiologist

Spouse and children: Sons, Bill, Scott and Dan. No spouse

Miscellaneous: Started Judo in 1963 at SJSU. Stopped Judo in 1973. Came to SJB in 1992 with my son Dan and later started teaching beginning Judo. I now help with the Junior Class.

Neal Kodama, Instructor

Rank: Sandan

Year started with the club: 2006

Certifications: SafeSport, CDC, First Aid, CPR, and background investigation - Certified. USA Judo coach's certification - International level. Referee certification - National level.

Occupation: Product Manager, Semiconductor Equipment Sector

Spouse and children: Yes and yes

Miscellaneous: Started on high school judo team (Judo is a team sport in Hawaii and I'm not going to say what years!). Came back to judo at San Jose Buddhist Judo Club in 2006. Latest competition, Silver - 2019 USA Judo Senior Nationals.