judo


Grassroots Judo™

The leaders of Grassroots Judo™ are the Presidents, the Executive Directors, and the Legal Counsels of the USJA and the USJF. Our aim is to grow Judo and enable people to contribute to society. We are the organizations of choice for coaches and students to train in the fundamentals of “big” Judo. Judo spelled with a big “J” means the holistic contribution of Judo to society. Judo spelled with a little “j” is the sport and recreational (technical) aspects of judo. We hope to facilitate a way for the most skilled and talented instructors, competitors, coaches, and referees in the country to give back to judo through the USJA and USJF.

I - Grassroots Judo™ Purposes & Objectives

  • Introduction: Introduce the concepts of Judo/judo a larger segment of the US
  • Growth: Overcome the current stagnation of Judo in the United States and build an opportunity for all to participate in judo
  • Marketing: Have an active outreach program to perpetuate the benefits of Judo to the American society as a whole
  • Education: Disseminate the latest and greatest ideas about the sport
  • Financial Stability: Attract project sponsor and donors

II - Grassroots Judo™ Value Proposition


  • For participants: By affiliating with this program you will gain expertise, personal confidence, and competence.
  • The program provides more opportunities to fully experience the benefits of Judo/judo and develop a worldwide social network
  • For teachers and coaches: Creation of an interactive Judo community that brings the best thinking and knowledge to our members

III - Grassroots Judo™ Benefits of Judo


  • Self-awareness – what you are capable of doing and not doing
  • Confidence
  • Physical Fitness
  • Development of core skills that can also be used in other sports.
  • Self-protection (ukemi – no fear of falling) and self-defense
  • Youth and adult growth and developments
  • Development of a recognized community and social network

III - Grassroots Judo™ Benefits of Judo


Members of the United Sates Judo Association have a duty to communicate honestly and openly with the organization and its members. It is inconsistent with this obligation for any member to:

  1. Misrepresent competitive achievements, professional qualifications, education, experience, eligibility, criminal record, or affiliations.
  2. Withhold from athlete members information or resources likely to enhance the athlete member’s enjoyment of the sport, or reduce their risk of injury or illness.
  3. Fail to consult with or fully inform the athlete or the athlete’s parents about opportunities made available to the athlete involving competitions, commercial activities, or recognition.
  4. Misrepresent the nature or extent of injury in order to decline an invitation to participate in, or withdraw from, a competition assignment, training camp, or other similar activity.
  5. Misrepresent the nature or extent of injury in order to participate in, or cause an athlete to participate in, a competition, training camp, or other similar activity when such participation is inconsistent with the appropriate medical response to the injury.

IV - Grassroots Judo™ Event Endorsement Criterion


  • The event must be sanctioned by USJA or USJF (except if international with USA Judo prior approval)
  • The event must be national or regional in the scope
  • The review will be based on past event history and must tie into the Grassroots Judo™ objectives
  • The review for event endorsement will be conducted by the leaders of Grassroots Judo™
  • The leaders of Grassroots Judo™ reserve the right to deny participation of any individual

V - Current Grassroots Judo™ Joint USJA / USJF Tournaments

  • 2020 USJA / USJF Grassroots Judo™ Special Needs Championships - Riverside, CA Cancelled
  • This is the only national tournament in the United States exclusively focused on Special Needs Judo.
  • Date: March 22
  • Website: Grassroots Judo™ US Special Needs Championships
  • 2020 USJA / USJF Grassroots Judo™ AM-Can International Challenge - Buffalo, NY Cancelled
  • The AM-CAN Internationals Challenge has provided over 45 years of high quality for all ages of competitors with Olympian appearances and a certification clinic for national referees.
  • Dates: May 23 & 24
  • Website: Grassroots Judo™ AM-CAN International Challenge
  • 2020 USJF / USJA Grassroots Judo™ 11th Annual Summer Nationals - Fort Lauderdale, FL Cancelled
  • The premier annual event is usually held near the 4th of July weekend. In addition to the national tournament for all age groups and skill levels, there is a certification clinic is for national referees.
  • Dates: July 17 -19 (Followed by Training Camps & U.S. Judo Open)
  • Website: Grassroots Judo™ 2020 Summer Nationals
  • 2020 USJA / USJF Grassroots Judo™ 4th Annual “Fight for the Cure” Women’s Tournament - Riverside, CA
  • This is only exclusive all women's tournament with more than competitors and all proceeds going towards breast cancer research.
  • Dates: October 11, (with Clinics on October 10, at San Gabriel Judo's Dojo)
  • Website: Grassroots Judo™ 4th Annual “Fight for the Cure” Women’s Judo Tournament
  • 2020 USJA / USJF Grassroots Judo™ 15th Annual Winter Nationals - Azusa, CA
  • This premier annual event held in greater Los Angeles early December created by Goltz Judo and now hosted by Nanka has become the largest tournament in the country. In addition to the national tournament for all age groups and skill levels, clinics are held on coaching, kata, refereeing, and just about anything pertaining to the study of judo. Preregistration includes a free souvenir t-shirt. Judo celebrities such as Ronda Rousey, Kayla Harrison, Israel Hernandez, Jimmy Pedro, Ugo Legrand, Jim Bregman, Hayward Nishioka, Jason Morris, Hal Sharp, and many more are often on hand to provide insights, sign books, autographs, take selfies, and more.
  • Dates: December 5, (with Clinics on December 4, at Goltz Judo's Dojo in Claremont, CA)
  • Website: Grassroots Judo™ Winter Nationals®

    • VI - Videos of Past Grassroots Judo™ Events

  • Winter Nationals 2019 in Azusa, CA
  • Winter Nationals 2018 in Azusa, CA
  • Winter Nationals 2017 in Azusa, CA
  • Winter Nationals 2014 in Azusa, CA
  • Junior Nationals 2013 in Pittsburgh, PA
  • Winter Nationals 2011 Seniors in San Dimas, CA
  • Winter Nationals 2011 Juniors in San Dimas, CA

    • VII - Host Requirements and Contract

  • Junior Nationals Handbook
  • Junior Nationals Contract