Shufu Judo Yudanshakai presents the Spring 2026 Shufu Judo Yudanshakai Junior and Senior Promotional Examination Saturday, April 25, 2026 at Beltsville Community Center 3900 Sellman Road, Beltsville, MD 20705 United States Judo Federation Sanction # 26-04-03 This event is Preregistration Only. There is no onsite registration. Eligibility to register for promotion All judoka must be a current member of the USJF, USJA, or USA Judo . (USJF members are eligible to be promoted at this event. USJA and USA Judo members may request to be examined and have their results forwarded to the appropriate organization.) For Shodan – current year plus one year prior membership in USJF For Nidan and above – current year plus three years prior membership in USJF Promotion Requirements being used The Shufu Board of Examiners has implemented the changeover to the USJF promotional requirements. The 2026 Shufu Spring Promotional will follow the “2021 USJF Senior Rank Promotion Requirements”, available on the Shufu website under Promotions. All ranks within Shufu’s promotion authority are required to do the physical testing, i.e. all ranks through and including Godan. Rokudan and above are not required to do physical testing; Kata requirements still apply as required[...]
Register HERE for the Takemori/Kashiwazaki Clinic Waivers will be available on site. For minor judoka unaccompanied by a parent or guardian, please have the parent or legal guardian download, print, and sign Waiver to bring to this event.
DON’T MISS THIS CLINIC!! Former World Champion and “Godfather of Newaza” Katzuhiko KASHIWAZAKI coming to DC Area on May 9th and 10th. Register HERE. NOW.
2014 Takemori Open Championships at DeMatha
October 29, 2014
by Kevin Tamai
Shufu Judo Yudanshakai held the 2014 Takemori Open Judo Championships at DeMatha Catholic High School on October 25th in Hyattsville, Maryland. The event was jointly hosted by Hui-O-Judo Beltsville and the College Park Judo Club.
The Outstanding Junior Competitor was Bella Bourke from Maryland Judo Team and the Outstanding Junior Team was Sport Judo.
The Outstanding Senior Competitor was Alfred Brown from USA Stars East and the Outstanding Senior Team was USA Stars East.
The morning started with kata competition with categories that included Novice Nage No Kata, Advanced Nage No Kata, Katame No Kata, Ju No Kata and Kime No Kata.
Diane Jackson, Shufu’s kata development chairperson has been working to continually expand the development and growth of kata within Shufu Yudanshakai. She stated, “I am very happy to see the kata in our area continue to develop. Shufu Yudanshakai holds a few different kata clinics throughout the year, and we encourage all judoka to learn the katas to help enhance their judo experience and to expand their judo knowledge. Judoka of any age or level can learn the katas.”
A new addition to the Takemori Open was team competition for senior judoka, run by the US Naval Academy Midshipmen and Sensei Edwin Takemori. It was a five man and one woman team challenge.
Washington Judo, Liberty Bell Judo, the US Naval Academy and Performance Alliance competed for the honor of the Ambassador Cup, won by Washington Judo.
Three teams also competed for the honored Commander’s Cup, including Washington Judo, the US Naval Academy, and the US Coast Guard. Washington Judo also won the Commander’s Cup.
Sensei Edwin Takemori stated, “I was very pleased with the addition of the team competition to this event. It is important for all judoka to work together as a team and practice jita kyoei. I want to see more judoka supporting each other on many levels. We plan to hold this team competition again next year, and I hope more clubs will consider sending teams to compete.”
Over 40 clubs were represented from the region including Maryland, Virginia, New Jersey, North Carolina, Washington DC and Pennsylvania.
Attending clubs included: Aldan (PA), Alleghany Youth Development (PA), Arlington (VA), Baltimore (MD), Budokan (MD), Budokai (OH), Bushikai (MD), Charlottesville (VA), Chester County Judo (PA), College Park (MD), Cranford Judo (NJ), Dale City (VA), DC Judo (DC), DC Recreation Judo (DC), Fairview Judo (PA), Forged Fitness (NC), Harrisburg Judokai (PA), Hui-O-Judo Beltsville (MD), Japan Martial Arts (VA), Jason Morris Judo Center (MD), Judo Movement (NJ), Kuma (PA), Lancaster (PA), Liberty Bell (PA), Maryland Judo Team (MD), Mountain Kim Martial Arts (VA), Mayfield Martial Arts (NC), North Raleigh Judo (NC), Passport Sports (MD), Pure Performance (MD), Roanoke Judo (VA), Seigneury (MD), Sacramento Judo (), Shore Thing (NJ), Sport (VA),TECH Judo (NJ), Trafford Judo (PA), U.S.A. Stars East (VA), U.S. Naval Academy (MD), US Coast Guard ( ), Villa Nova University Judo (PA) and Washington Judo Club (DC).
The Shufu Yudanshakai Promotionals on Saturday, November 8 at the College Park Community Center. This will include juniors and seniors. There will be a Yudansha (black belt) meeting that morning at 8am. All Shufu Yudansha are strongly encouraged to attend.
The 2014 Shufu Open Judo Championships will be held on Saturday, November 22 in Lancaster PA. There will be four competition mat areas. Information on both of these events and others are posted on the Shufu website – www.shufujudo.org
This newsletter is presented in memory of Malcolm Hodges who was a dedicated Shufu and Washington Judo Club member for many years and wrote and was the editor of the monthly Shufu Shinbun newsletter.
Did you know that Shufu has an Athlete Funding Program?
Shufu’s Athlete Funding
Program provides reimbursement ($150 to $300) for athletes competing in National and
International level events. Juniors, Seniors, Masters/Veterans, and Kata competitors
can all apply to the Shufu Athlete Funding Program. If you have been a member of Shufu for at least 2 years and have participated in any of the events listed below, then you should consider applying for Shufu’s Athlete Funding Program!
2025 USA Judo Youth National Championships
2025 USA Junior Olympic National Championships
2025 USA Judo Senior National Championships
2025 USA Judo President’s Cup
2025 US Open
2025 USJF/USJA Nationals
2025 Pan American Cups or 2025 Pan American Championships
2025 IJF Point Events (Grand Prix, Grand Slams, or Championships)
Please note that these are not the only tournaments which will be considered for funding.
Please go to the Funding Support for Athletes link for the complete details.
The morning started with kata competition with categories that included Novice Nage No Kata, Advanced Nage No Kata, Katame No Kata, Ju No Kata and Kime No Kata.
