About
Palo Alto Judo Club offers judo practice and training, including participation in regional and national judo tournaments. Practices include an optional extended practice time for teens and adults.
• Ages: 7–18 years old
• Schedule: Practices on Tuesday and Thursday evenings, with regular classes and an optional extended practice for teens and adults
Palo Alto Judo Club is a community-benefit non-profit organization that has been operating since 1952. The dojo has produced many nationally ranked athletes and has a history of developing national champions, including national Collegiate (NCAA) champions such as David Yoshida, Susumu Kodani, Paul Kodani, Reese Cutler, Jay Lewis, and John Kimura. Between 1958 and 1961, Jun Kono, Eugene Miyahara, Paul Kodani, and Clayton Fujii from Palo Alto Judo Club won the northern California Outstanding Judo Award, and Hamai Sensei was voted coach of the year in 1958. The club has had representation on local, national, and international judo levels, and students have participated in scores of championships.
The club’s mission states that it will adhere to Hamai and Kitaura Senseis’ teachings, which include discipline, hard practice, dedication to learning judo, and becoming better people. The Palo Alto Judo Club is affiliated with the Central Coast Black Belt Judo Association, the United States Judo Federation, and USA Judo. Students have the opportunity to participate in regional and national judo tournaments and other events, and practices are open for visitors to watch any time. New students without prior martial arts experience are recommended to join on the first Thursday of each month, and students range from 7 years old to seniors.
Head Sensei Cal Kitaura holds the rank of 7th Dan. The club was founded by Sensei Sam Hamai and Sensei Tamo Kitaura, with the assistance of Kenji Yamane and George Geddes. Hamai Sensei (6th Dan) served as President and Vice-President of the Central Coast Judo Association and Chairman of the Board of Examiners for Central Coast, was known nationally for scorekeeping expertise, was Head Scorekeeper at numerous national tournaments, and is a national (class C) level judo referee. Kitaura Sensei (8th Dan, promoted in 2001) served as President of the Central Coast Judo Association, Rank Registration Chairman of CenCo, was on the All-American Judo Team selection committee for three years, was coach/manager of the United States Judo team for the PanAmerican Games, twice manager of the United States Olympic Judo Team for the World Games, alternate coach for the United States Olympic Judo Team, Head Judo Coach for Stanford University for thirteen years, and is a PanAmerican (class B) level judo referee.
Last updated June 17, 2026.
• Ages: 7–18 years old
• Schedule: Practices on Tuesday and Thursday evenings, with regular classes and an optional extended practice for teens and adults
Palo Alto Judo Club is a community-benefit non-profit organization that has been operating since 1952. The dojo has produced many nationally ranked athletes and has a history of developing national champions, including national Collegiate (NCAA) champions such as David Yoshida, Susumu Kodani, Paul Kodani, Reese Cutler, Jay Lewis, and John Kimura. Between 1958 and 1961, Jun Kono, Eugene Miyahara, Paul Kodani, and Clayton Fujii from Palo Alto Judo Club won the northern California Outstanding Judo Award, and Hamai Sensei was voted coach of the year in 1958. The club has had representation on local, national, and international judo levels, and students have participated in scores of championships.
The club’s mission states that it will adhere to Hamai and Kitaura Senseis’ teachings, which include discipline, hard practice, dedication to learning judo, and becoming better people. The Palo Alto Judo Club is affiliated with the Central Coast Black Belt Judo Association, the United States Judo Federation, and USA Judo. Students have the opportunity to participate in regional and national judo tournaments and other events, and practices are open for visitors to watch any time. New students without prior martial arts experience are recommended to join on the first Thursday of each month, and students range from 7 years old to seniors.
Head Sensei Cal Kitaura holds the rank of 7th Dan. The club was founded by Sensei Sam Hamai and Sensei Tamo Kitaura, with the assistance of Kenji Yamane and George Geddes. Hamai Sensei (6th Dan) served as President and Vice-President of the Central Coast Judo Association and Chairman of the Board of Examiners for Central Coast, was known nationally for scorekeeping expertise, was Head Scorekeeper at numerous national tournaments, and is a national (class C) level judo referee. Kitaura Sensei (8th Dan, promoted in 2001) served as President of the Central Coast Judo Association, Rank Registration Chairman of CenCo, was on the All-American Judo Team selection committee for three years, was coach/manager of the United States Judo team for the PanAmerican Games, twice manager of the United States Olympic Judo Team for the World Games, alternate coach for the United States Olympic Judo Team, Head Judo Coach for Stanford University for thirteen years, and is a PanAmerican (class B) level judo referee.
Last updated June 17, 2026.
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