Nearly 20 years ago, Dan Sensei was draw to EBJI by its reputation for good, hard training. He began his tenure at EBJI as a visitor, by making hour-long commutes from the Petaluma area before becoming a permanent and essential fixture in the EBJI community. Since then, he has become a well-rounded judoka; he has enjoyed competitive success on the national level, holds an IJF “B” level referee license, is nationally certified as a coach and teacher, has basic mastery of all seven katas, is well-versed in the history and evolution of judo and serves as the president of Daiheigen Judo Yudanshakai. He currently teaches the intermediate and adult judo classes, in addition to working as a computer programmer and strength and conditioning coach.

Ken Sensei is one of the longest standing members of the East Bay Judo Institute, and is universally respected as a role model to the younger instructors. Ken Sensei enjoyed a successful competitive career as a two-time medalist at the Senior National Championships, and qualifier for the Pan American and World Championship team trials. Currently of Tippett Studios in Berkeley, he has had the opportunity to work on a number of major motion pictures, most notably, Armageddon and The Matrix Trilogy. After earning his graduate degree in film studies at the University of California, Los Angeles in 2006, he continues to work in the film industry, and on his own personal projects.

Sayaka Sensei began studying judo at the age of 5, under the instruction of her father, David Matsumoto, and grew to become a talented judo player in her own right. She currently has the most impressive list of competitive accomplishments at EBJI: She is a 7 time Senior National Champion, has been on 3 World Championship teams, and was a member of the 2008 Olympic Team. In December 2006, she graduated from the University of California at Berkeley with a B.A. in Mass Communications and a minor in Japanese. Sayaka Sensei hold the position of head coach at EBJI.

Stephanie was drawn to judo at the age of 7 as a means for developing better coordination, athleticism, and confidence. During her competitive career, she was a 3-time Senior National Champion, and member of the 2002 Junior World Team. In June of 2007, Stephanie graduated from the University of California at Davis with a B.S. in Human Development and a minor in English. She has experience working with a variety of educational, therapeutic and recreational programs for at-risk and low-income populations. She currently works with the Berkeley-Albany YMCA/Berkeley Unified School District Head Start program and has 10 years of experience in teaching judo.

Themis Lonis was born in San Francisco and raised in Daly City. He began judo in 1995 as an adult, mainly because his children were participating. Over a decade later, Themis is still an integral part of the dojo community. His son Christian participates in the children’s class. Themis frequently attends the advanced class, helping the competitors of East Bay train for various tournaments. Outside of judo, Themis is currently a law enforcement officer at the Oakland Police Department and lives in Pinole with his wife Laurie and has four children, Daniel, Julian and Christian, and Emily.

Molly was born and raised in Bellingham, Washington where she began practicing judo at the age of 13. In 2002, Molly moved to the Bay Area to train at EBJI in pursuit of competitive success. After joining EBJI, Molly became a National Champion in the women’s -78kg category and was an alternate for the 2004 Olympic Team. Molly graduated from San Francisco State University in 2008 with a degree in Kineseology and a minor in Recreation and Leisure Studies. She has been employed at the Downtown Berkeley YMCA for the past two years, where she has extensive training and experience in childcare, community event planning and implementing recreational programs and is also a personal trainer.

Ann began judo at the age of 4 following in her father and brother’s footsteps and enjoyed competitive success as a Junior National Triple Crown Winner. After a brief hiatus during which she participated in varsity wrestling, swimming, golf, band and choir, she was drawn back to judo and rose to become a top contender in the women’s -48kg category. In 2008, she was named an alternate to the 2008 Olympic Team, and 2012 Olympic Hopeful. In addition to being a competitor, she is a well-rounded judoka; with over 8 years experience in teaching judo both at EBJI and at the Asian Police Officer’s Association/Okubo judo program in her hometown of Sacramento.

Yukako was born and raised in Japan where she began judo at the age of 5. While in Japan, Yukako competed in various tournaments, notably placing 2nd in a University Tournament in the 48 kg category. She attended Teikyo University where she graduated in 2007. Yukako came to the Bay area in May of 2008 to study English. She now attends the Intrax English School in Downtown San Francisco and teaches the children’s class here at EBJI once a week.

Coming from a judo family, Dale began judo at the age of 5, and quickly developed a strong sense of dedication to the EBJI community. Dale competed on the junior national level throughout high school, earning himself multiple medals at national and international competitions. In addition to judo, Dale has developed interests in music, computer technology, engineering, and the Japanese-American community. His dedication to judo, earned him the Issei Memorial scholarship from the Contra Costa Chapter of the Japanese American Citizens League. He is currently in his second year at the University of California at Davis majoring in Civil Engineering.

Despite starting judo as an adult, Thomas quickly developed a passion and aptitude for judo. After graduating from UC Berkeley in 2006, he began a master’s program at the University of Florida where he not only balanced an impressive course load, but also revitalized the UF Judo Club. Thomas returned to the San Francisco Bay Area in early 2008 and began a career as a trainer for the UC Berkeley Intercollegiate Athletics program as well as working as a personal trainer at the Ice Chamber Athletic Performance Training. At EBJI he takes on multiple roles; he is a competitor, and instructor for the beginning adult class and designs elite athlete’s strength and conditioning program at Ice Chamber.

A participant of judo since the age of 8, Daniel has become a vital member of the East Bay Judo Community. In addition to selflessly helping the competitors train in the advanced class, Daniel teaches the beginning children’s class here at East Bay Judo Institute. A graduate of El Cerrito High School, Daniel attends the University of California at San Diego, where he hopes to major in math.