Kokushi Midwest Judo is the premier martial arts academy in Champaign. We build strong, confident, and resilient students.
Judo is a martial art and an Olympic sport. We provide a safe and social environment for kids of all ages.
Congrats to Seth on his promotion to orange/green belt. He’s worked hard all year, showed up to at least 3 classes per week and it has paid off. He knew 9 pins, 6 turnovers and 12 throws. Great job!!!!👏 KokushiMidwest.com
Kashiwazaki Sensei has many amazing techniques. The last 10 days will be something that I remember forever. Today he showed ukiwaza, hikkikomi gaeshi, tomoe nage and Yoko wakare. It was so easy. He’s an amazing teacher. I will do my best to keep practicing.
Kashiwazaki-Sensei’s kid-friendly 1-second turnover. KokushiMidwest.com
Kashiwazaki Sensei is a great sensei for kids’ class. His lessons are super short and simple. “Go practice!” Although I bet this was his only kids class he’ll teach. LOL.
05/05/2026
Kashiwazaki Sensei teaching his first kids' class....... and probably his last. He said that he never teaches kids. So we ran class as normal. He stood at the side just to observe, but he was very impressed with the kids' warmups and their ukemis. Then he whispers, maybe I can teach one thing. He taught the kids how to time deashi barai, the taisabaki for ogoshi, and then a 1-second turnover. And they all got it!!
I think he liked teaching the kids. Thank you Sensei!!!!
05/04/2026
A huge thank you to everyone who came out to support our first weekend with Katsuhiko Kashiwazaki. It meant a lot to see friends traveling in from Wisconsin, Minnesota, Michigan, Texas AND Japan —your presence made the experience even more special.
Hearing Sensei say that our ability to learn his tomoe nage and newaza was strong is something we’ll carry with us for a long time.
He encouraged us to become great at our own techniques and to just have fun. He even saw one of our dojo's new techniques - tomosoto!! He approved!!
We’re incredibly grateful to United States Judo Federation for their tremendous support, as well as to Konan Judo and the Shufu Yudanshakai for standing behind us at Kokushi Midwest Judo.
We’re already looking forward to reconnecting with everyone in Washington, D.C. at Kogaion Judo Academy for the Jimmy Takemori Clinic.
Opportunities to train with Kashiwazaki-sensei are incredibly rare, especially in a setting where you can learn his tomoe nage and newaza up close. If you’ve ever considered attending, this is one of those moments you don’t want to let pass by. We’d strongly encourage you to make the time—you’ll take something from it that stays with you for years.
Sign up here: https://shufujudo.org/event/2026-takemori-memorial-clinic-with-katsuhiko-kashiwazaki/?instance_id=1770
The many styles of Kashiwazaki Sensei’s tomoe nage. His technique is perfection. To be on the same mat with him was unreal. I’m happy to know him. KokushiMidwest.com
04/27/2026
Each attendee will snag one of these masu cups this weekend with Kashiwazaki Sensei. It's our 10th anniversary seminar. Let's go!!!
01/29/2026
A picture is worth 1000 words. KokushiMidwest.com
01/29/2026
| Monday | 3:30pm - 5:30pm |
| Tuesday | 7pm - 8:30pm |
| Wednesday | 4pm - 7:30pm |
| Thursday | 7pm - 8:30pm |
| Friday | 4pm - 7:30pm |
| Saturday | 10am - 12pm |