Judo

Our Judo group is in the process of finding a new location.  We will post our new location shortly.  ~ June 2012

The Kodokan was founded in 1882 by the late Prof. Kano who himself had established Judo. Judo was derived from Jujitsu which had many names and schools. Jujitsu is an art for either attacking others or defending oneself with nothing but one's own body. Prof. Kano adopted the superlative parts of all the Jujitsu schools, got rid of precarious parts, and established the new Kodokan Judo based on his own insight and arrangement. It started with only nine disciples and a twelve-mat dojo. The Kodokan Judo was recognized in a few years to be excellent since its students overwhelmed the Jujitsu athletes at the Police Bujitsu Contest. This really was the first step for its future rapid progress.

Prof. Kano promoted judo as a physical exercise from a wide national point of view. Proceeding with the organization of the Kodokan and enacting the regulations of Judo, he became the first Asian member of the International Olympic Committee in 1909 and worked for the spread of Judo worldwide.

Judo became an official event in the Olympic Games of 1964, backed by Judo fans and sport promoters all over the world. It is now a very popular sport almost anywhere in the world.

Instructors

Sensei Shun Kasuga,

a Kodokan 6th degree red and white belt
Sensei Kasuga served as the Japan Olympic coach in 1992 and 1996. He studied and trained Judo under Sensei Fusataro Sakamoto (9th degree), Yoshimi Osawa (9th-degree), Yasuichi Matsumoto (8th degree) and Koshi Onozawa (8th degree).

Sensei Kasuga is an officer in and a member of the USJF (United States Judo Federation) and the All Japan Judo Federation. He is also the Judo Arizona AAU Chairperson and Technical Advisor.

Sensei Thomas V Palen,

5th Dan
Tom Palen, Secretary of Arizona State Judo Inc./Arizona Yudanshakai, lives in Mesa, AZ. with his wife, Tawni McBee. Tom is a Godan and a life member of USJA, and USJI. Born August 5 1952 in Fort Lee N.J., Tom began his Judo career in college. He started practicing with the Judo Team at Newark College of Engineering (now New Jersey Institute of Technology) in 1970 under Sensei Jarrel. Tom became a member of the college varsity team for 3 years.

Simultaneously, he started attending classes at Fort Lee Judo Center under the instruction of Sensei Bill Camal. Tom received his Shodan under Sensei Camal (5/76) and continued competing and teaching at Fort Lee Judo Center until he moved to Arizona in November of 1978. Since his arrival in Arizona, he and his wife have formed, taught and competed with Kishidan Judokai as well as having reorganized, taught, and competed with Chaparral Judo Club. He and his wife organized and conducted the Copper Classic Judo Tournament for 14 years. Tom has also been Venue Coordinator for the 2000 US Judo International Invitational and the 2001 World Masters Judo Tournament and has been selected for the same position for the 2001 US Judo Open.

Tom is a Project Engineer for Talley Defense Systems, where he works with military applications of pyrotechnics and explosives. Having recently survived a 2 year ordeal with Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma, Tom is getting ready to re-enter shiai (competition). At home, Tom enjoys his time with his wife, 2 sons (Shawn & Heath) and their families, and 3 dogs (Shiloh, Jaspar & Chaussette).

Tawni McBee,

4th Dan
Tawni McBee, president of AZ State Judo Inc./Arizona Yudanshakai, past VP of USJF, and chair of the USA Judo Technical Officials Subcommittee, lives in Mesa, AZ. Tawni is a Yondan and a life member of USJA, USJF and USJI. Born July 1, 1948, Tawni did not begin the study of Judo until 1978 at the YMCA in Phoenix, AZ under the instruction of Al DuFaux. Both of her sons being in Judo inspired her to join the fun. Tawni retired from competition in 1990 due to various injuries and began supporting judo in other areas. A national referee, tournament director (Copper Classic - 14 years), State Games Commissioner, certified coach, instructor and kata judge, Tawni keeps busy helping her husband, Tom Palen run their new club, Ikudokan Kasuga Dojo of Traditional Martial Arts Academy which they recently merged with their former club, Chaparral Judo Club. Active on a national and international level, Tawni has worked at the 1996 Olympics, the 2000 PJU Sr. and Jr. Championships, the US Open, the 2001 PacRims and World Masters Championships and various other events. In \ldblquote real life\rdblquote , Tawni works as a professional dog trainer and enjoys working with the two Standard Poodles and one miniature Poodle that she and Tom train and show, as well as working with various dog rescue groups in their area.