Sensei Eiko Shepherd
Dear Friends,
For the past 15 years, the annual USJF National Kata Conference has provided the unique opportunity for judoka from around the United States to learn and practice all seven kata,and to keep up to date with any relevant changes. With the recent updates that the IJF Kata Commission has made to the kata competition evaluation criteria, this conference has become even more critical in ensuring that instructors and competitors have knowledge of changes to the scoring system.
In 2017, USA Judo plans to implement the IJF changes and to hold competitors accountable for being aware of the new scoring system. USJF plans to assist USA Judo in disseminating information about the changes by inviting three or four Kodokan instructors and two IJF officials to lead the 2017 USJF National Kata Conference. Bringing these instructors and officials to the U.S. will significantly increase the cost of the annual conference, and so we are humbly seeking financial assistance to offset travel costs associated with bringing them to the U.S.
Donations in support of the conference can be made to Tohkon Judo Academy, a 501(c)(3) organization (Tax ID: 36-3794538), and your donation is tax deductible to the extent allowed by law. Please see below for details:
Check payable to: Tohkon Judo Academy
Mailing address: Tohkon Judo Academy, 4427 N Clark St, Chicago, IL 60640
(Please indicate “2017 USJF Kata Conference” in the memo section of your check.)
Thank you very much for your consideration of this request, and for your ongoing support of judo.
Sincerely,
Eiko Shepherd, 7th Dan
USJF Kata Development Committee Chair
