
OUR INSTRUCTORS
Our instructors are all volunteers. They donate their time and efforts for the teaching of judo and serving the community. All instructors are trained and certified in SafeSport, CDC, first aid and CPR, as well as have their background checked.
WHO WE ARE

Jim Pennington,
Head Instructor
Rank: Rokudan
Year Started with Club: 1965

Daniel Kikuchi,
Head Instructor
Rank: Rokudan
Year Started with Club: 1960

Elaine Abad, Instructor
Rank: Godan
Year Started with Club: 1991
Kata certification - Nage no Kata, Katame no Kata, GoshinJutsu,
Kime no Kata; Teacher's Certification

Albert Kato, Instructor
Rank: Godan
Year Started with Club: 1992
USA Judo coach's certification

Neal Kodama,
Instructor
Rank: Yondan
Year started with the club: 2006
USA Judo coach's certification (International level)
National Referee

Lance Kawata,
Instructor
Rank: Sandan
Year started with the club: 2006
National Referee

Andrew Takara,
Instructor
Rank: Nidan
Year started with the club:
2017

Eric Nakagawa,
Assistant Instructor
Rank: Sandan
Year started with Club: 1994

Terance Bantilan,
Assistant Instructor
Rank: Nidan
Year Started with Club: 1995

Tommy Yamamoto,
Assistant Instructor
Rank: Sandan
Year Started with Club: 2001

Mallory Kato,
Instructor
Rank: Nidan
Year started with the club: 1992


Sarah Jabin,
Instructor
Rank: Shodan
Year started with the club: 2006

Rex Kinoshita,
Assistant Instructor
Rank: Nidan
Year Started with Club: 1992

Larry Okumoto,
Assistant Instructor
Rank: Sandan
Year Started with Club: 2006

Vaughn Imada, Instructor Emeritus
Rank: Rokudan
Year Started with Club: 1983