Help us bring world-class athletes to WA - support us with a donation ❤️🙏
Welcome to
Washington Judo Academy
A 501(c)(3) nonprofit Judo / BJJ / Wrestling club with a world-class training program for kids and adults
Convenient Location
We are conveniently located at Houghton Plaza next to the Google Campus and Metropolitan Market in Kirkland, WA.
Our address is: 10600 NE 68th St, Suite D, Kirkland, WA 98033
We serve kids and adults in Kirkland, Bellevue, Redmond, and Seattle areas:
- 5 min from Downtown Kirkland, WA
- 12 min from Downtown Bellevue, WA
- 14 min from Downtown Redmond, WA
- 20 min from Downtown Seattle, WA
Schedule
Programs
Blog
Shintaro Nakano & Hidemasa Tanaka Judo Clinic (August, 2024)
Regional Judo Training Camp with Robert Eriksson Hosted by Washington Judo Academy
Shinjiro Sasaki’s Judo Clinic: Feb 24-25, 2024
Learn from Nick Delpopolo: Sep 28 – Oct 8, 2023
Highlights from 2023 Pan Am U15 and U13 Championships at Lima, Peru
The Benefits of Cross-Training in Judo for BJJ Practitioners
Photos
Friday’s Open Mat Randori with 2012 London Olympic Medalist, Sensei Hiraoka 🇯🇵🥋🔥
A very special masterclass with 2012 London Olympian Sensei Hiraoka 🇯🇵, teaching some of his favorite newaza techniques 🥋🔥
Masterclass and open mat with 2012 London Olympics medalist, Sensei Hiraoka Hiraoka 🇯🇵. Don’t miss out! Book your session now: 🔗 www.wajudo.com/schedule/
Clash of Titans: two 6-year-old newaza players 🥰😍
It takes immense passion, time, and sacrifice to build a dream. Our dream is to create a world-class program and the best training facility that feels like home. Please join us in making this vision a reality. Donate to Washington Judo Academy today: 🔗 www.wajudo.com/donate.
If you donate on #GivingTuesday, December 3rd, your donation may be doubled or even tripled by your employer.
Get off Santa’s naughty list! Do something worthy and support our mission to bring world-class judo to the Pacific Northwest. Donate to the Washington Judo Academy, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit run entirely by volunteers.
We reinvest everything back into the community, and all donations go directly to our reserves to help fund a larger, better training facility in 2025.
Donate today: www.wajudo.com/donate/
Make a difference this Giving Tuesday, December 3rd. Ask your employer to match your donation. Help our nonprofit dojo in our endeavor to fund a major move in 2025 to a larger and better training facility.
Our two-man Pan Am team is back from Cuba as better versions of themselves, bringing home two golds, invaluable experience, and battle stories to share.
What a beautiful smile! Devin Nishimura – the new Pan Am Judo Champion – clinched the title on Thanksgiving Eve in Varadero, Cuba, representing @usajudoofficial and Washington Judo Academy! 🥋🏆🇺🇸
While others enjoyed turkey, Devin Nishimura claimed gold at the Panamerican Open 2024 in Varadero, Cuba, proudly representing USA Judo and Washington Judo Academy! 🥋🏆🇺🇸
While others enjoyed turkey, Devin Nishimura claimed gold at the Panamerican Open 2024 in Varadero, Cuba, proudly representing USA Judo and Washington Judo Academy! 🥋🏆🇺🇸
This Giving Tuesday (Dec 3, 2024), support Washington Judo Academy, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit in Kirkland, WA. As a volunteer-run sports club, we reinvest every donation into providing world-class Judo training to the Pacific Northwest.
With 900% growth in two years, we`re planning a new training facility in 2025.
Double your impact with an employer-matched donation.
🔗 www.wajudo.com/donate
About Us
Mike Hernandez
2023-12-08
I've been visiting a number of martial arts schools for my 4 year old and I can honestly say WA Judo Academy is by far the best one I've seen. The class is fun, interactive, and sneakily teaches intro techniques via the in class play like drills. The instructors are fantastic, professional, and clearly have a ton of experience with kids. There is also lots of extra support via their older students and also encourage parents to participate! Saying this place is special would still be a understatement. Super inviting place glad we found it and that my son loves it too.
Saki Y
2023-12-05
I don’t usually do these, but I will for this group. WJA and it’s Senseis have treated my son with open arms and like family from the first day he started. They always keep it fun for the kids, while also teaching very high level technique. The students (and we as parents) are truly privileged to have Senseis who dedicate their time to teach on a voluntary basis. You know the Senseis truly love what they’re doing and care about their students when they do it voluntarily. And despite being a non-profit, they’ve been able to bring in the best coaches and teachers from around the US and the World to come teach! Sensei Tomoko, Sensei Micah, Sensei David and Sensei Evgeny are especially worthy of praise - they are good coaches and Senseis, but even better and kinder people. We are truly honored to be a part of this school!
Perry Knodle
2023-12-05
Fantastic community and development opportunity for athletes of all ages and skill levels.
Nelson Billing
2023-12-04
I do class here as an adult beginner and my 4 and 7 year olds do classes too. The kids go multiple times per week and I try to also go multiple times per week but lately can only do once.
I personally really like the instruction, the atmosphere, and community at WJA. I find it a very welcoming and serious group. My kids love going to class here as well. I'm a beginner so I can't offer an expert opinion on how quickly they are learning but I can tell that they are definitely learning and developing over time.
The club has frequent events which are both good to get to know the other families involved and good for the kids' development (potlucks, practice competitions, clinics). They have also had many guest instructors in my time there-- several from Japan and some from the US. There are also instructors from other local Judo or BJJ clubs who are friends and come to teach specific things. Lots of judokas from other local clubs come for the Friday night randori at WJA.
Overall I think WJA is ideal for my family and I highly recommend it to both adults and families with kids.
Tianchu Liang
2023-12-04
Great dojo, awesome senseis and fellow judokas. Great place to train!!
Alina Uzhvieva (Goryunova)
2023-12-04
My two kids and I have been attending classes at this dojo for almost a year now, and we couldn’t be happier with our experience. The coaches are highly professional and incredibly friendly and supportive. They support us during training sessions and competitions. Thank you, Washington Judo, for your dedication and commitment to your students, big and small!
Jessica Thompson
2023-12-04
First rate judo practice and instruction! This dojo caters to all skill and belt levels, being beginnering, intermediate, or advanced. All ages welcome (kiddos and adults) and women-friendly! Everyone is incredibly friendly and supportive. If you're looking to get into judo or trying to find a new dojo, this is the place to go 🙂
Tanya C
2023-12-04
My son has been attending the Washington Judo Academy for three months now. The Sensei (Coaches) create a nurturing environment where my kid feels valued and respected. Every time there is a warm and welcoming atmosphere. But the discipline is never compromised. The Sensei are attentive to each student, providing clear instructions, constructive feedback, and personalized guidance. They instill in the children a sense of respect for the sport, their peers, and themselves.
The training itself is rigorous and challenging, but it is always conducted with a sense of fun and enthusiasm. For my son that practices develop a strong foundation in judo techniques while also building physical fitness and endurance.
The Washington Judo Academy is a friendly community that fosters personal growth, discipline, and a love for the sport. I am grateful for the positive impact the academy has had on my son, and I highly recommend it to any parent.
Radion
2023-12-04
I recently joined this judo dojo, and it has been an incredible experience. The instructors are knowledgeable, patient, and genuinely invested in helping students succeed. The atmosphere is welcoming, and I appreciate the focus on both technique and personal growth. It's a fantastic place to learn judo and build a sense of community. Highly recommended!
Kaysen Luong
2023-10-03
Go here 100% you will throw smoothly 10/10 real judo