Business Details
50+ Years
experience
Midway Judo: Traditional Kodokan Judo Training in West St. Paul
Midway Judo is a non-profit organization committed to preserving and teaching traditional Kodokan Judo since 1958. Our club welcomes individuals of all ages and skill levels, fostering a family-friendly environment where physical fitness, mental discipline, and community engagement thrive. Registered with USA Judo, we emphasize the principles of maximum efficiency with minimum effort, as founded by Professor Jigoro Kano. Our experienced instructors, including multiple black belt holders, guide members in mastering techniques ranging from throws to grappling. We serve the West St.Paul community with structured classes and competitive training opportunities. Our philosophy aligns with Judo's Olympic legacy, promoting both personal growth and athletic excellence. Decades of dedicated practice and teaching have established us as a trusted institution for traditional Judo in the region. We prioritize accessibility, ensuring our programs cater to recreational learners and competitive athletes alike. Through continuous community involvement, we uphold the values of respect, perseverance, and mutual welfare central to Judo.
Services
Judo Classes
Family Training
Competitive Preparation
Youth Programs
Adult Fitness
Black Belt Instruction
Olympic-Style Training
Technique Workshops
Mental Discipline Coaching
Community Outreach
Details
- Year established: 1958
Highlights and features
- We have over 65 years of experience promoting traditional Kodokan Judo.
- Our instructors include multiple 6th-degree black belt holders.
- We offer family-friendly classes for all ages and skill levels.
- Registered with USA Judo, the national governing body for Judo.
- We emphasize Judo's core principles of efficiency and mutual welfare.
Associations and certifications
- USA Judo
Services
Judo Classes
Structured Judo instruction for all skill levels, focusing on traditional Kodokan techniques. Classes emphasize throws, grappling, and mental discipline while promoting physical fitness and self-confidence. Our curriculum aligns with Olympic standards for competitive development.
Family Training
Multi-generational Judo programs designed for families to train together. These sessions build teamwork skills while teaching practical self-defense techniques in a supportive environment that strengthens family bonds through shared achievement.
Competitive Preparation
Specialized training for competition-ready Judo athletes. Our program develops mastery in nage-waza (throwing) and newaza (ground fighting) techniques while building strategic thinking and tournament mental preparation for competitive success.
Youth Programs
Age-appropriate Judo instruction fostering discipline and physical development in children. Our curriculum balances technical skill acquisition with character building through structured drills and supervised sparring activities tailored to young learners.
Black Belt Instruction
Expert-level instruction from multiple 6th-degree black belt holders. This program refines complex techniques, kata forms, and teaching methodologies for practitioners pursuing instructor certification or competitive excellence at the highest levels.
People
Cary Yamanaka
Instructor
6th-degree black belt with decades of experience teaching traditional Kodokan Judo techniques to students of all skill levels.
Gary Berquist
Instructor
6th-degree black belt specializing in competitive Judo training and tournament preparation for aspiring athletes.
Don Pierce
Instructor
4th-degree black belt focusing on foundational Judo techniques and mental discipline development for new practitioners.
Brad Yamanaka
Instructor
4th-degree black belt with expertise in teaching family-friendly Judo programs for multi-generational participation.
Jarrod Yamanaka
Instructor
4th-degree black belt emphasizing practical self-defense applications and real-world scenario training in Judo practice.
Questions
What Judo style does Midway Judo teach?
We specialize in traditional Kodokan Judo, following Professor Jigoro Kano's original teachings with techniques refined for modern practice.
Are classes suitable for beginners?
Yes, our programs welcome all skill levels with structured instruction for newcomers to learn basic techniques safely.
Do you offer family training options?
We provide multi-generational classes where families can train together, promoting shared learning experiences and bonding.
What competitive opportunities exist?
Our competitive preparation program trains athletes in tournament strategies and advanced techniques for competition success.
How experienced are your instructors?
Our team includes multiple 6th-degree black belt holders with decades of combined teaching and competitive experience.
Is prior martial arts experience required?
No prior experience is needed - our curriculum accommodates complete beginners while offering progression paths for all students.
