The San Jose Buddhist Judo Club
EST. 1947
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