TOKAI UNIVERSITY DONATES JUDOGIS TO GUAM

PRESS RELEASE – The Fudoshin Judo Club is happy to announce the receipt of a generous donation of 12 gently worn judogi (judo uniforms) from JUDOs NPO, represented by Mitsumoto Kenji Sensei of Tokai University.

JUDOs NPO, formerly known as the Solidarity of International Judo Education (SIJE) under Judo Legend Yasuhiro Yamashita Sensei is a nonprofit organization now under another judo legend Kosei Inoue Sensei. The organization promotes international understanding, grassroots exchange, and peace through judo, empowering communities across borders.

Connection Through Judo Education

Fudoshin Judo Club’s Sensei Mike Kohn, a graduate of the 2014 Solidarity of Judo Education Coaching Course under Mitsumoto Sensei, played a key role in facilitating this meaningful contribution.

“Through this donation, we hope to make judo more accessible to our community,” said Sensei Mike. “Many young people want to train but face financial barriers. The JITA KYOEI Project will help address those barriers so that everyone has the opportunity to experience the values of judo.”

The JITA KYOEI Project: Practicing Kano Jigoro’s Principle of Mutual Welfare

The JITA KYOEI Project is named after one of the core philosophical principles of judo founder Jigoro Kano Sensei. Jita Kyoei, meaning “mutual welfare and benefit.” For Jigoro Sensei, judo was more than a martial art, it was a way of life that emphasized cooperation, respect, and contributing to the well-being of society.

By providing gently worn judogi to youth and families faced with financial constraints, Fudoshin Judo Club seeks to embody this ideal. The project reflects Jigoro Sensei’s vision of a just and compassionate society, where individuals grow not only in skill, but in character, uplifting themselves and those around them.

“This is judo in its truest form,” added Sensei Mike. “The practice of Jita Kyoei begins off the mat, with actions that strengthen our community.”

Longstanding Guam–Japan Judo Connection

Mitsumoto Sensei’s connection with Guam spans decades. Fudoshin Judo Club Head Instructor Sensei Mariano Aquino trained under Mitsumoto Sensei at Tokai University in preparation for Guam’s debut at the 1988 Seoul Olympic Games.

During that time, Sensei Mariano, alongside Sensei Ricardo Blas (President of the Guam Judo Federation and the Guam National Olympic Committee) and Derrick Anderson, underwent intensive training at Tokai University in Japan before proudly representing Guam on the Olympic stage. Their journey marked a historic milestone for Guam in international judo competition.

Join the JITA KYOEI Project

Families and individuals interested in participating or learning more about the JITA KYOEI Project or supporting Fudoshin Judo Club’s initiatives can contact Mike Sensei at +1(671) 687-2511, or reach out to Fudoshin Judo Club via Instagram @fudoshin_judo_club. 

About Fudoshin Judo Club

Fudoshin Judo Club is committed to promoting traditional judo values through expert instruction, youth engagement, and community outreach. One of its key objectives is to develop judokas who can proudly represent Guam on the international stage while living out judo’s deeper philosophy in everyday life. The club continues to build bridges between Guam and Japan through international cooperation and shared judo values. The dojo is located on the 2nd Floor of the MVPangilinan Building at 868 North Marine Corps Drive, 96913 Tamuning, and welcomes judokas of all ages and experience levels.