History
Kokushikai Judo Academy of Fair Lawn, New Jersey is a traditional judo dojo (school). 3x Olympian, Celita Schutz and Sensei Matsumura, graduate of Japan's Kokushikan University.
Kokushikai Judo Academy is a traditionally run New Jersey Judo dojo located in Fair Lawn of Bergen County in northern New Jersey. Judo is not only a martial art and self defense, it is also an Olympic sport. Judo classes are taught by Olympian, Celita Schutz and Olympic Coach, Sensei Matsumura.
Celita Schutz
Head Instructor
Celita Schutz is a Graduate of Yale University. She is a Rokudan (6th degree black belt). She has over 35 years of experience in judo including three Olympics, Celita Schutz is President of Kokushikai Judo Academy, Inc and Camp Director of Kokushikai Judo Camp.
Celita formerly served as Vice President and President of United States Judo Association (USJA),
and is a member of the American Judo Alliance and is Director of the USJA National Training Center.
Celita began training at a young age with Sensei Nagayasu Ogasawara at Kokushi Dojo, (now relocated to Rochester, NY). She became nationally ranked as a Senior competitor at age 14 and internationally ranked at age 16. While competing worldwide, much of Celita's extended international training occurred in Japan, Spain, Germany and Brazil.
She became Captain of the 1996 US Olympic Women's Judo Team; held #1 ranking in the United States as a Senior Elite athlete for seven consecutive years; and while accumulating medals from around the world, achieved highest ranking of 5th in the World with the expert coaching
of Sensei Yoichiro Matsumura, Technical Advisor of Kokushikai Judo Academy, Inc.
Some her selected Accomplishments Include:
- 1996 Olympics, Atlanta
- 2000 Olympics, Syndey
- 2004 Olympics, Athens
- 2x World Team Member
- US Open International Champion
- Multi-time International Medalist
- 6x US National Judo Champion (Senior Level)
- 2x US Olympic Committee Female Athlete of the Year, Judo
Ultimate Female Titan - 2x Grapplers Quest BJJ Champion
- ADCC North American Champion, 2007
- Certified Personal Trainer,NASM
Sensei Yoichiro Matsumura
Technical Advisor
Sensei Yoichiro Matsumura is a graduate of Kokushikan University, Japan. His rank is Kudan (9th degree black belt). He has over 50 years of teaching experience in judo.
Sensei Matsumura has perfected various techniques in judo and is considered one of the leading technicians in the world. After graduation from Kokushikan University, Japan in 1962, Matsumura
continued as instructor and coach before coming to the United States. While versed in other martial art disciplines, judo remains the focus of his teaching as he has appeared in clinics nationally and internationally throughout his career. In addition, he has guided many US athletes to success in judo at the national, World and Olympic levels.
Matsumura holds an 9th degree Black belt in Judo and as official Technical Advisor to Kokushikai he contributes greatly with weekly class instruction.
Matsumura is part of a renown group of instructors that teach at Kokushikai Judo Camp
in the Summer at Preston Park, PA (Poconoes).
