Senseis
Kevin Asano
7th Degree Black Belt, Executive Sensei Kevin Asano began judo in 1970 as a seven year old boy in Okinawa, Japan under Tsuruo Fukushima Sensei. After moving back to Hawaii he practiced judo at Pearl City Judo Club under sensei Yasuyuki Sakabe, Yotoku Maeshiro, Wilfred Shimizu, Warren Shimizu, Leigh Nakamoto, Tsuruo Fukushima, and Larry Iwamuro. Kevin received his 1st degree black belt (shodan) at 16 years old and was a three time national high school champion. In 1981 Kevin moved to Leeward Judo Club again under Fukushima sensei. He went on to win the junior nationals, collegiate nationals, and won a bronze medal at the 1987 World Championships in Essen, West Germany. After 18 years of training Kevin earned a silver medal at the Seoul Olympic Games. In 1993 Kevin inducted into the United States Judo Federation Hall of Fame, the first of many such inductions. In 2000 he was inducted into the Hawaii Sports Hall of Fame, in 2002 into the San Jose State University Sports Hall of Fame, and in 2008 the USA Judo Hall of Fame. He is a 7th degree black belt and a professor of judo. Sensei Kevin was recently (2012) voted in as the President of the United States Judo Federation (a 10,000 member grassroots organization).
Kevin is a partner in Pacific Rim Legacy Group LLC, a wealth management organization, and the co-founder of Personal Transformation International, a non-profit organization committed to transforming individuals by helping them find their life’s calling. He is an author of the book, “Step onto the Mat” and public speaker.
Here is an informational video about Sensei Kevin.
Asano's journey takes new path
While some 20 Hawai'i athletes prepare for the 2008 Beijing Games, one of the last Olympic medalists from Hawai'i is starting his fourth career. Kevin Asano, 1988 silver medalist in judo, former assistant pastor and current financial adviser, has utilized all those seemingly unrelated skills as author of a new book: "Stepping Onto the Mat; A Journey to True Success." [read more at the honoluluadvertiser.com ]
Olympic Medalist, Kevin Asano
Kevin Asano won the Silver Medal in Extra Lightweight Judo Competition at the 1988 Olympics. On his way to capturing the medal he beat Shinji Hosokawa who was the current World Champion and 1984 Gold Medalist. [read more at hawaiisportshalloffame.com ]
RandAll Platt
5th Degree Black Belt, Head Sensei Kapolei
A graduate from McKinley High School and the University of Hawai’i, Sensei’s favorite throw is Ippon Seoi Nage. When he is not doing Judo he likes to workout.
Everett Pavo
3rd Degree Black Belt, Head Sensei Pearl City
A graduate from Pearl City High School and Portland State University, Sensei’s favorite throw is Uchi Mata. When he is not doing Judo he likes to go fishing.
Christian Pavo
1st Degree Black Belt, Head Sensei Pearl City
A graduate from Pearl City High School and Leeward Community College, Sensei’s favorite throw is Ippon Seoi Nage. When he is not doing Judo, he likes to spend time with his family at the beach.
Mathew Ogata
3rd Degree Black Belt, Head Sensei Pearl City
A graduate from Mililani High School and San Jose State University, Sensei’s favorite throw is Sasae Tsurikomi Ashi. When he is not doing Judo, he likes to eat and sleep.
Steven Alphabet
5th Degree Black Belt
A graduate from Southwest High School and Georgia State University, Sensei’s favorite throw is Seoi Otoshi. When he is not doing Judo, he likes to teach youth.
Austin Araki
2nd Degree Black Belt
John Dickinson
1st Degree Black Belt
A graduate from Pearl City High School and the University of Hawai’i, Sensei’s favorite throw is O Soto Gari and Tai Otoshi . When he is not doing Judo, he likes to spend time with family, golf and surf.
Derek Ishikawa
4th Degree Black Belt
A graduate from Pearl City High School, Sensei’s favorite throw is Uchi Mata. When he is not doing Judo, he likes to go fishing.
Gavin Ishikawa
1st Degree Black Belt, Leeward Judo Club Manager
A graduate from Mililani High School and Thompson Education Direct, Sensei’s favorite throw is Tomoe Nage. When he is not doing Judo, he likes to spend time with family and travel.
Gary Kuba
3rd Degree Black Belt
A graduate from Pearl City High School and the University of Hawai’i, Sensei’s favorite throw is Tai Otoshi and O Soto Gari. When he is not doing Judo, he loves to travel.
Sharon Nakamoto
2nd Degree Black Belt
A graduate from Sacred Hearts Academy and the University of Hawai’i. Sensei’s favorite throw is Ko Soto Gari. When she is not doing Judo, she likes to watch her grandkids.
Duane Namamura
2nd Degree Black Belt
A graduate from Waipahu High School and Honolulu Community College, Sensei’s favorite throw is Tai Otoshi. When he is not doing Judo, he likes to study Japanese culture.
Kaori Nakamura
2nd Degree Black Belt
A graduate from Kyoritsu High School and Nippon Sport Science University (Nittaidai), Sensei’s favorite throw is Tomoe Nage. When she is not doing Judo, she likes to do other sports such as Jiu Jitsu, swimming and boot camp.
Steven Nohara
5th Degree Black Belt
A graduate from Pearl City High School and Honolulu Community Collage, Sensei’s favorite throw is Seoi Nage. When he is not doing Judo, he likes to surf with his wife.
Laura Obuhanych
2nd Degree Black Belt
A graduate from Hawai’i Baptist Academy and the University of Hawai’i, Sensei’s favorite throw is Turikomi Goshi. When she is not doing Judo, she likes to coach Judo and Wrestling.
Russell Ogata
3rd Degree Black Belt
A graduate from Ka’ū High School and Colorado State University, Sensei’s favorite throw is Hane Goshi. When he is not doing Judo, he likes to do Kyudo and Naginata.
Ray Prosek
5th Degree Black Belt
Gina Sullivan
4th Degree Black Belt
A graduate from Clarkston High School and University of Pittsburgh (B.S.) and Chaminade University (M Ed), Sensei’s favorite throw is Tai Otoshi. When she is not doing Judo, she likes to spend time with family.
Ivan Yoshimura
5th Degree Black Belt
A graduate from Pearl City High School and the University of Hawai’i, Sensei’s favorite throw is Tai Otoshi. When he is not doing Judo, he likes to watch his granddaughter.
Anna Asano
1st Degree Black Belt
A graduate from Home Schooling, Sensei’s favorite throw is Uchi Mata. When she is not doing Judo, she likes to dance.
Maya Asano
1st Degree Black Belt
A graduate from Home Schooling, Sensei’s favorite throw is Uchi Mata. When she is not doing Judo, she likes to dance
Rena Asano
1st Degree Black Belt
A graduate from Home Schooling, Sensei’s and is currently attending school at Tokai University Shonan Campus. Her favorite throw is Tai Otoshi. When she is not doing Judo, she likes play piano and go hiking.
Jon Domingo
1st Degree Black Belt
A graduate from Pearl City High School, Sensei’s favorite throw is Seoi Nage. When he is not doing Judo, he likes to go to the beach.
Reiko Lovan
1st Degree Black Belt
A graduate from Kamehameha Schools, and Community Collate of the Air Force and Is currently attending The University of Hawai’i West Oahu. Sensei’s favorite throw is Tai Otoshi. When she is not doing Judo, she enjoys spending time with her family at the beach, watching movies, and traveling.
Micha Matsumoto
1st Degree Black Belt
A graduate from Home Schooling, He is currently attending school at Tokai University. Sensei’s favorite throw is Tomoe Nage. When he is not doing Judo, he likes photography, videography and loves to go fishing.
Taryn Matsumoto
1st Degree Black Belt
A graduate from Home Schooling, Sensei’s favorite throw is O Soto Gari. When she is not doing Judo, she likes soccer.
Tyler Matsumoto
1st Degree Black Belt
A graduate from Home Schooling, Sensei’s favorite throw is Tai Otoshi.
Kai Nakamura
1st Degree Black Belt
A graduate from Maryknoll Schools, He is currently attending school at Hawai’i Tokai International College Sensei’s favorite throw is Seoi Nage. When he is not doing Judo, he likes to play video games
Anne Platt
1st Degree Black Belt
A graduate from Campbell High School she is currently attending school at Washington State University. Sensei’s favorite throw is Tai Otoshi. When she is not doing Judo, likes to study and go to the beach.
Cambey Quijano
1st Degree Black Belt
A graduate from Pearl City High School, He is currently attending school at Leeward Community College. Sensei’s favorite throw is Uchi Mata. When he is not doing Judo, he likes to go to the beach.
Shaydon Yip
1st Degree Black Belt
A graduate from Pearl City High School, Sensei’s favorite throw is Tai Otoshi. When he is not doing Judo, he likes to hang out with friends.
Kyson Yoshimura
1st Degree Black Belt
A graduate from Pearl City High School, He is currently attending Leeward Community Collage. Sensei’s favorite throw is Seoi Nage. When he is not doing Judo, he likes to referee.
Michael Blank
A graduate from Taylor Allderdice High School, his favorite throw is Tai Otoshi and Ippon Seoi Nage. When he is not doing Judo, he likes to workout.
Kaleo Hosaka
A graduate from Pearl City High School, and the University of Hawai’i. Kaleo is a Relson Gracie Jiu-Jitsu black belt.
Kevin Nishimura
A graduate from Kaimuki High School and Kapi’olani Community College, his favorite throw is O Goshi. When he is not doing Judo, he likes to spend time with family.