An Introduction to Venice Judo Club: Who are we?


Well, first of all, we are not karate. We are SO not karate! For one thing, we don’t make any money at judo. All of our instructors coach for free. The cost for judo lessons is $22 per month, plus a $30 per year family membership to the Japanese American Community Center. We also offer a discount for more than one member in the same family.

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JUDO IS AN OLYMPIC SPORT. Under 12 years of age, matches are won by throwing or pinning the opponent. At 13 years and above, choking is legal. Less violent than it sounds, choking involves putting pressure on the carotid arteries (in your neck) to cut off the blood supply to the brain. It is not at all uncommon in matches when a person is choked unconscious to have ‘fallen asleep’ and not even realize what happened. At age 17 and above, brown belts and higher are allowed to use jointlocks, putting pressure on the elbow joint until the opponent gives up. Our athletes have competed all over the country and the world, and we have several hopefuls for the Olympics in our dojo!

No, you do not have to be Japanese to join! Why do people think this? Is it the name? No one thinks you have to be a staple to play in the Staples Center downtown! Come! Join! We don’t care what race, color or gender you are, or what language you speak, we can teach in English, Spanish, or Japanese if you want us to, just get your bum-bum over here and learn!

For another, we are a team of champions, if we do say so ourselves (and we do!) For the past two years we’ve been the #1 judo club in the nation! This year our kids brought home the gold, and aim to do the same again next year!

How did we become so successful? Perhaps it is our teaching methods (that and having great kids on our team!)