Sensei James Takemori

Shufu Judo Yudanshakai is pleased to announce the next event in the Takemori Clinic Series on Saturday, March 11, 2023

Clinician:

Olympic Silver Medalist

Kevin Asano

Sensei Kevin Asano

Location: Beltsville Community Center

3900 Sellman Road, Beltsville, MD

Event Director: Kevin Tamai (703-622-6861) Email: huiosensei@gmail.com

Sanctioned by United States Judo Federation: # 23–03–05

Shufu will follow USJF Medical Committee and local/state guidelines regarding COVID at the time of the Clinic.

Clinic:

Session 1 (focused on juniors) is 9:00-11:00 am

There will be a break for lunch on your own.

Session 2 (focused on Seniors) is 1:00-3:30 pm

Registration and Payment is ONLINE ONLY

Click HERE to REGISTER

Clinic fee: $60 for morning (Junior), $75 for afternoon (Senior), $120 for both.

(** Annual Shufu/USJF members will receive a $10 discount for the clinic day.  MUST present proof of membership at registration and onsite)

If your dojo is bringing more than 10 people, please have your sensei contact the event director.

Waiver can be downloaded and brought to clinic, or signed on-site. Please ensure that parents/legal guardians have signed for minors.

Click HERE for WAIVER

Membership confirmation in National Judo Organizations will be on-site.

Personal water bottles are encouraged.

Participation Eligibility: USJF, USJA and USA Judo members. Membership cards must be
presented on the day of the event to participate on the mat.

Washington area airports: Reagan National (DCA), Baltimore-Washington (BWI), Dulles
International (IAD).

Hotels: If you are coming in from out of the area, there are a variety of hotels in the area.

Pictures and autographs with Kevin Asano will be available before and after each session.

Kevin Yoshimi Asano (born April 20, 1963), won the Silver medal in the men’s extra-lightweight competition at the 1988 Summer Olympics in South Korea. On his way to capturing the medal he beat Shinji Hosokawa, who was the reigning world champion and 1984 Gold medalist. Asano came close to winning the Gold, but lost it on a one-point penalty to Kim Jae-Yup of South Korea.

In addition to the Olympic Silver, other highlights among his many competitive judo accomplishments include winning a Gold medal at the 1985 US Olympic Festival, a Gold medal at 1986 Collegiate Championships, a Gold medal at the 1987 Collegiate Championships, a Gold medal at the 1987 US International Championships in Colorado Springs, a Silver medal at the 1987 Pan American Championships in Indianapolis, and a Bronze medal at the 1987 World Championships in East Germany.

Asano was born in Hawaii, and graduated from Pearl City High School. in 1981, he studied Japanese and trained in judo at Tokai University in Tokyo, Japan for two years, then went on to study at San Jose State University in California where he graduated in 1989 with a degree in accounting.

In 2008, Asano’s autobiography, Step Onto the Mat: Journey to True Success, was published by White Mountain Castle Publishing LLC.

He has served as President of Hawaii Judo, Inc., the state judo governing body of USA Judo, and President of the United States Judo Federation.  He is also the head instructor of Leeward Judo Club in Hawaii. He was among USAJudo’s inaugural Hall of Fame inductees in 2008 along with Eddie Liddie, Mike Swain and Jimmy Pedro. He is also a member of the Hawaii Sports Hall of Fame 2000 inductees and is also a member of the San Jose State University Sports Hall of Fame.

In 1988, Asano was named the US Olympic Committee’s US Judo Athlete of the Year.

“My personal mission statement is to empower other to discover their purpose in life and to pursue it with all of their hearts. The various platforms in my life help to share the message that every individual can live a life with purpose and achieve true success.”

Asano is a co-founder of Pacific Rim Legacy Group, a financial planning organization, and together with his business partner Del Fujinaka founded Personal Transformation International, a 501(c)(3) charitable organization. Together they empower people in the areas of health, finances, and relationships.

When Kevin is not working he spends his time playing with his children, napping, reading, and playing music.

Step Onto The Mat

Step out of your comfort zone, step onto the mat, and seize your destiny.”

One dream… One chance… One Moment. Eighteen years of trials, triumphs and tears came down to a final instant for Kevin Asano.

His journey began as a seven year old boy in a judo dojo in Okinawa… It ended as a man competing for gold in Seoul, Korea.

Kevin embraced the elation of winning while being mercilessly taunted by doubts and disappointments. Yet always, he was certain it was his destiny. He was compelled beyond himself to “step onto the mat.”

Finally, Kevin’s childhood dream of competing in the world’s most prestigious sporting event was staring him in the face. Thousands packed the international arena, yet his only concern was to please an audience of One.

When you face your moment, your dream, your chance, there is only one question: Will you step onto the mat?

** Books will be available for purchase at the event. You can have them autographed.