IPPON
Judo Academy & Training Center
Every Session, a Story
From a shy five-year-old's first breakfall to a competitor's final grip before the buzzer — this is what training looks like when it's real.
First Ukemi
Ages 5–8
Uchi-Komi Drills
Teen Program
Rei — the Bow
Adult Class
Randori
Open Mat
Shiai
Competition
We don't just teach throws. We teach children to fall and rise. We teach adults that it's never too late to begin again.
Coaches Who Competed
Every instructor on this mat has stood on a podium. They know what it takes — and they know how to get you there.
Kenji Matsumoto
Head Coach
2× US National Champion · Pan American Games Bronze · 18 years coaching
“The mat doesn't lie. Every session, you discover exactly who you are.”
Aisha Okonkwo
Youth & Teen Director
NCAA Wrestling All-American · IJF World Circuit competitor · 12 years youth coaching
“When a shy kid throws their first seoi-nage, something shifts in them forever.”
Marcus Delacroix
Competitive Track Coach
Olympic Trials qualifier (2020, 2024) · US Open Champion · Specialist in ne-waza
“Competition reveals character. I'm here to build both.”
From White to Black
Every judoka walks the same path. The belt changes color. The person changes more.
White Belt
Ukemi (breakfalls), basic grips, first throws: O-goshi, De-ashi-barai
↳ You survive your first randori.
Yellow Belt
Seoi-nage, Tai-otoshi, O-soto-gari. Ground control entries.
↳ First tournament. Win or lose — you bow and shake hands.
Orange Belt
Combination attacks, kuzushi principles, ne-waza escapes.
↳ You start pulling people into your game.
Green Belt
Counter-attacks, grip fighting, competition strategy.
↳ Younger students start asking you for advice.
Blue Belt
Specialization, advanced ne-waza, shiai experience.
↳ Regional podium. Your name on the board.
Brown Belt
Mastery of tokui-waza, coaching juniors, national circuit.
↳ You are the one who doesn't flinch at the grip.
Black Belt
The beginning of real understanding. Teaching others.
↳ The belt is black because it has absorbed everything.
We Train to Win
From local shiai to IJF circuit events — Ippon competitors show up prepared and hungry.
Tournament Medals
since 2018
National Qualifiers
active competitors
Olympic Qualifying Points
earned by our athletes
Active Members
across all programs
US Open — Gold
2025
Junior Nationals — Bronze
2025
State Championships — Team Gold
2024
I was forty-three when I walked back into a dojo. Three years later, I stood on a masters podium. Ippon didn't just teach me judo — they reminded me I wasn't done.
Reserve Your Spot on the Mat
Trial classes run Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday. Show up in comfortable clothes — we'll have a gi for you. No experience required.
First class free
No payment required to try your first session.
Gi provided
We'll lend you a uniform for your trial class.
All levels welcome
From first bow to national qualifier.