Judo Fanatics Podcast

Robert Eriksson has been coaching the Swedish National Judo Team for the last 15 years. In this episode we will learn about Judo in Sweden and hear about their national development model that over the course of 10-15 years led to 2 World Medals in 2021

Shinjiro Sasaki is a graduate of the Nihon University in Tokyo and the owner of Sasaki Judo in Orlando. We discuss his Judo journey from childhood to becoming a Japanese National Champion and eventually fulfilling one of his dreams to move to the US!

Kosuke Tanaka is the coach of the famed San Jose State University Judo program. He shares his experience of growing up doing Judo in Japan as well as his experience coaching the SJSU judo program under the tutelage of Judo Icon Yosh Uchida!

In this episode we are joined by Hans van Essen, founder and owner of the world renowned website Judoinside.com. our discussion touches on Judo media coverage around the world along with using statistics and data to tell the story of Judo.

Justin Imagawa is a Canadian born employee of the Japanese Judo Federation. We will get an inside look into the function of the Japanese Judo Federation and the Judo Ecosystem that creates not only Judo champions, but careers and industries in the sport!

In this episode, we are joined by Skyler Cummings who at 19 years old opened up a Judo Dojo in Plainfield, Connecticut. This is the story of a Judo kid who chose the path of Judo entrepreneurship over a competitive Judo career.

In this episode, we are joined by Aaron Cohen, the owner of Cohens Judo in Chicago Illinois, one of the most successful Judo clubs in the United States. Talks include ideas to build Judo with regional training centers and the importance of unity.

In this episode, we are joined by Ewan Beaton, a former National team member and 2 time Olympian from Canada. Today we discuss all things Canadian Judo, we talk about the development system and the history that has led to all of the Elite level success.

Rob Skinner is one of the most sought after Dietitians in the United States. He has worked with a range of high level athletes from all walks. Enjoy this great conversation about sports nutrition and weight cutting for combat sports!

Arik Ze'evi is a 2004 Olympic Bronze Medalist and a 9x European Medalist from Israel. In this conversation we talk all about Judo In Israel. We learn how this small nation has found great success in Judo.

Shady El Nahas joins the show to talk about his experience fighting in the Olympic Games in Tokyo. He shares stories about his relationship with his big brother who has always been a big part of his success on the mat.

Eduard Trippel walks us through his Olympic experience including the details of what was going through his mind, the nerves, and more. He explains his purposeful smile along with other tactics and strategies that led him to the final of his division!

​​Shintaro Higashi is a 2nd generation dojo owner and head sensei at the Kokushi Budo Institute in NYC. In today's conversation we talked about promoting and marketing Judo and how things were different for his father when he first came from Japan.

Flavio Canto is considered by many to be one of the world's greatest newaza practitioners. He discusses his program's curriculum and bridging the gap between tachiwaza and newaza. He also talks about his quickly growing social program in Rio's favelas!

Just back from Tokyo where he competed in his 2nd Olympic Games, Colton brown shares his detailed Olympic experience leading up to the games. From a 12 year old boy who snuck out of bed to watch the 04' games on TV, to a now 29 year old 2x Olympian!

A great conversation about Judo in Australia! Discussion about the difference between recreation clubs and professional clubs, and the importance of needing big and small clubs in order to grow the sport. We also discuss long term athlete development!

A conversation with IJF Comentator Neil Adams, live from the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo. Get a behind the scenes perspective as Neil talks about all that is happening at the Games.

Judoka Eitan Gelber joins the show while on staff with the USA Wrestling Team in Japan as they make final preparations for the Olympic Games that start in the coming days. He talks about mental and physical prep for Team USA as well as coaching!

Jimmy Pedro is one of the most successful Judo players to ever represent the United States. In this informative, inspirational conversation, Jimmy shares his story as a coach, stories from the Olympics and his thoughts on the future of USA Judo!

Garry St. Leger joins the show to talk about growing up in the NYC Judo scene, working with UFC's Georges St Pierre, how he managed to stay sharp during the pandemic, becoming a coach and the value of having his brother on the Judo journey with him.