World Champion Sensei Katsuhiko Kashiwazaki Visits Arlington for Special Judo Seminar
Group picture from our second session on Day 1. More than 20 black belt judoka on the mats at Kogaion Academy!
Two weekends ago, Kogaion Academy had the incredible honor of hosting legendary judoka Katsuhiko Kashiwazaki for a special four-session seminar in Arlington, Virginia.
Judoka from across the DMV area gathered for a rare opportunity to learn from one of the most influential figures in modern judo. For anyone searching for “Judo in Arlington,” “Judo near me,” “Judo DMV,” or “Judo Washington DC,” this was a truly unforgettable weekend of technical instruction and high-level training.
Learning from a Judo Legend
Sensei Katsuhiko Kashiwazaki is widely regarded as one of the greatest newaza and tomoe nage specialists in judo history.
His accomplishments include:
1981 Judo World Champion
Multiple-time Japanese national-level competitor
Renowned instructor and author
One of the most influential pioneers of modern judo groundwork
Famous worldwide for his tomoe nage, sutemi waza, and transition systems
Kashiwazaki’s technical style has inspired generations of judoka and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu practitioners alike. His approach to movement, timing, and efficiency continues to influence grappling arts around the world.
Four Sessions of High-Level Judo Instruction
Over the course of four seminar sessions, participants studied:
Tomoe nage setups and finishing mechanics
Grip fighting and kuzushi concepts
Transitions from standing to groundwork
Newaza control systems and turnovers
Combination attacks and movement chains
Technical details that made Kashiwazaki’s style world famous
What stood out most was not just the depth of knowledge, but the precision and simplicity behind every movement. Even experienced practitioners found new details and concepts that immediately improved their understanding of judo.
Judo Black Belts Traveled from Across the Country
One of the most special aspects of the seminar weekend was seeing the broader judo community come together in Arlington. We had black belts and experienced practitioners travel in from all over the United States to attend the clinic, including visitors from Vermont, Texas, California, and Florida. The level of dedication and passion in the room created an incredible training atmosphere throughout all four sessions. It was a reminder of how influential Sensei Kashiwazaki’s teaching has been across generations of judoka and how strong the judo community continues to be nationwide.
Sharing Dinner and Community with Sensei Kashiwazaki
Beyond the training itself, one of the highlights of the weekend was the opportunity to spend time together off the mats. Students, instructors, and visiting judoka gathered for dinner with Sensei Kashiwazaki, creating a rare opportunity for conversation, connection, and community. Moments like these are an important part of martial arts culture, not just learning techniques, but building relationships and sharing experiences with people brought together through judo. The weekend felt less like a seminar and more like a gathering of a passionate and supportive grappling community.
Thank You to Shufu Judo
We would also like to give a special thank you to Shufu Judo for helping organize and support this incredible event. As the regional organization helping oversee and grow judo throughout the DMV area, Shufu Judo continues to play an important role in developing opportunities for local athletes, coaches, and clubs. Their efforts help strengthen the judo community across Virginia, Maryland, and Washington DC, and we are grateful for their partnership in making this seminar possible.
Bringing High-Level Judo to Arlington and the DMV
At Kogaion Academy, one of our goals is to continue growing high-level judo in Arlington and throughout the Washington DC and DMV martial arts community.
Hosting seminars like this allows local students to experience world-class instruction without needing to travel internationally or across the country. We were excited to welcome visitors from across Virginia, Maryland, and Washington DC for this event.
For many attendees, it was a rare chance to train directly under one of the sport’s true legends.
The Growth of Judo in Arlington VA
Interest in judo continues to grow throughout the DMV area, and we are proud to be part of that growth.
Whether someone is searching for:
Judo in Arlington
Judo near me
Judo Washington DC
Judo DMV
Beginner judo classes
Competitive judo training
—we aim to provide an environment focused on technical excellence, strong fundamentals, and long-term development.
Events like the Kashiwazaki seminar are an important part of preserving and sharing high-level judo knowledge with the next generation of practitioners.
Thank You to Everyone Who Attended
We want to sincerely thank everyone who attended the seminar and helped make the weekend a success. Most importantly, we are deeply grateful to Sensei Katsuhiko Kashiwazaki for sharing his time, knowledge, and experience with our students and the broader judo community.
It was an unforgettable weekend for everyone involved, and we look forward to continuing to bring world-class judo instruction to Arlington and the DMV in the future.