Basic News Items

Our Latest Yondans

Posted by Sayaka Matsumoto on Friday, October 12th, 2012 with Comments Off on Our Latest Yondans

Congratulations to Molly O’Rourke, Annie Shiraishi and Nate Torra for their recent promotion to Yondan (Fourth Degree Black Belt)! On Saturday October 6, Molly, Annie and Nate all performed Kime no Kata for the class. In attendance were special guests Dr. Kuniko Takeuchi and Sensei Haruo Makimoto, both from Okubo Judo Club in...

Results of the 2012 EBJI Tournament

Posted by Sayaka Matsumoto on Wednesday, September 12th, 2012 with 1 Comment

Thank you to all the referees, volunteers and competitors who made our tournament a huge success! 2012 EBJI Tournament Results Junior Division Male White to Yellow Belt ages 5-6 1. Skyler Orozco – Salinas Judo Club 2. Sebastian Lim – Okubo Judo Club 3. Matteo Quale – Hanabi White to Yellow Belt ages 6-7 1....

6 Medals for EBJI at the USJF Junior Nationals!

Posted by Sayaka Matsumoto on Wednesday, July 11th, 2012 with Comments Off on 6 Medals for EBJI at the USJF Junior Nationals!

Over 500 competitors from around the country gathered at the USJF Junior National Championships this past weekend to participate in the two-day tournament with hopes of winning a National Title. The tournament was held at the Spokane Convention Center in downtown Spokane, Washington. Several local athletes have been training for months in preparation for this...

Raffle Results!

Posted by Sayaka Matsumoto on Tuesday, July 3rd, 2012 with 1 Comment

Thanks EBJI for making our Junior National Fundraiser a huge success! We raised over $1300 to help send out kids to the 2012 USJF Junior Nationals in Spokane. Without your support, it wouldn’t have been possible. Also, congratulations to the following people who won prizes: $25 Barney’s Gift Card: Lili Kwan $25 Barney’s Gift Card:...

An Olympic Reflection

Posted by Sayaka Matsumoto on Friday, June 29th, 2012 with 4 Comments

By Sayaka Matsumoto It’s hard to believe that it is less than 30 days until the start of the 2012 London Summer Olympic Games. The Olympics have always held a special place in my heart. Even from a young age, I remember making the Olympic rings with my cheerios as I ate breakfast, although I didn’t...

Help EBJI Get to the 2012 USJF Junior Nationals!

Posted by Sayaka Matsumoto on Thursday, May 31st, 2012 with Comments Off on Help EBJI Get to the 2012 USJF Junior Nationals!

Would you like to donate to help get our Junior National competitors to the 2012 USJF Junior Nationals? The event will be held on July 6-7, 2012 in Spokane, Washington. Every dollar you donate will go to the athletes attending the competition: Estefany Gonzalez, Nico Gonzalez, Sato Matsumoto, Masa Matsumoto, Nathan Canadas, Curtis Booth, Ashley Booth...

Annie’s Judo Journey

Posted by Sayaka Matsumoto on Monday, April 30th, 2012 with 2 Comments

Most of you know or have seen Annie Shiraishi around the dojo. An active competitor and representative of EBJI, Annie has been pursuing her Olympic dream since being named an Alternate to the 2008 Olympic Judo Team. She has dedicated the past 4 years to training and travelling in an effort to make the 2012...

Mike and Annie win Gold at the Senior National Championships

Posted by Sayaka Matsumoto on Wednesday, April 25th, 2012 with Comments Off on Mike and Annie win Gold at the Senior National Championships

The 2012 Senior National Championships were held in Dallas, Texas on April 21-22, 2012. Athletes from around the country competed, all vying for national titles in their respective weight divisions. Representing EBJI were Annie Shiraishi and honorary member Mike Eldred. Mike, who trains regularly out of the Western Idaho Judo Institute in Fruitland, Idaho competed...

7 Competitors, 7 Medals in Twin Falls, Idaho!

Posted by Sayaka Matsumoto on Monday, April 9th, 2012 with Comments Off on 7 Competitors, 7 Medals in Twin Falls, Idaho!

EBJI members made their second annual trip to Twin Falls, Idaho this past weekend to compete at the CSI Judo Championships. Estefany Gonzalez (15), Ociane Canadas (17), Nathan Canadas (13), Nico Gonzalez (13), Nick Wood (12), Sato Matsumoto (12), Masa Matsumoto (12) and Taka Matsumoto (10) traveled with coaches Ken Kokka Sensei and Sayaka Matsumoto...

New Shodans: Jared and Leslie

Posted by Sayaka Matsumoto on Friday, March 30th, 2012 with Comments Off on New Shodans: Jared and Leslie

Congratulations to new Shodans Jared Beane and Leslie Lippard (featured above)! Both Jared and Leslie performed the first three sets of Nage-No-Kata at our March Promotional to receive their first degree black...