West Covina Judo Dojo

Our Mission

"To teach Kodokan Judo and develop judoka to be champions on the mat as well as in life."

The dojo introduces Judo to the public and seeks a broader knowledge and deeper understanding of this Japanese art and Olympic sport. Through Judo we build sportsmanship, character and good citizenship, and a better understanding among our fellow men and women.

The Judo Program

We teach Kodokan Judo, the modern sport founded by Dr. Jigoro Kano from the techniques of classical jujitsu. Judo is practiced worldwide, has been an Olympic sport since 1964, and is part of the Paralympic Games. Students learn throws, grappling, safe falling (ukemi), and the official Kodokan kata, with opportunities to compete in local and national tournaments.

Our History

West Covina Judo Dojo was founded in 1957 under the sponsorship of the San Gabriel Valley Japanese American Association, today the East San Gabriel Valley Japanese American Community Center (ESGVJCC), where the dojo still trains.

Judo in the San Gabriel Valley dates back to the late 1920s, when a group of Issei fathers formed a dojo in El Monte, then the center of the local Japanese community. That dojo became the San Gabriel Valley Young Men's Association dojo, and was disbanded during World War II when its members were evacuated. Its legacy lives on in today's San Gabriel Judo Dojo and its sister club, West Covina Judo Dojo.

Nearly seven decades later, the dojo continues Dr. Jigoro Kano's mission: teaching Kodokan Judo and developing judoka to be champions on the mat and in life.