“One of the great privileges in my life has been the honor of representing the USA on the 2000 and 2004 Olympic Judo teams. Like all Olympians, one of the most important keys to my success was the great coaching that I received along the way.
Now that I have children of my own, it’s a great privilege to be able to bring them to Southwest Judo for many reasons. And those reasons are the amazing coaches – Dave Faulkner, George Uema, John Houssni, Rich Moss, Chandler Wade and others. Not only do the coaches bring an incredible level of depth and skill as judo coaches, but they genuinely care about my kids, which of course is so very important to me as a parent.”
Martin Boonzaayer
USA Judo Olympian – 2000, 2004
3X US World Team Member
7X US National Champion
“Hello, my name is Brian Johnston. I am a Judoka, a golden gloves boxing champion and Mixed Martial Artist. I have competed in multiple Ultimate Fighting Championships and have trained some of the most elite martial artists in the world.
I have had the pleasure of training Judo at various Dojo’s around the word, Japan included. When the time came for my wife and I to enroll our daughter in Judo there was never a question of where she would go, regardless of distance.Southwest Judo hands down is Arizona’s top Judo school and one of the best in the nation. The staffs pedigree and knowledge base of Kodokon Judo is in my opinion one of the best in the World. Our daughter is enrolled at Southwest Judo to learn “bushi no michi”,The way of the warrior, honor, respect, discipline and self control. The staff here has an excellent grasp of child psychology and knows how Judo can play an active positive roll in child development. I am happy my daughter loves her Sensei’s and is becoming an excellent Judo player at Southwest but I am ecstatic Southwest Judo is helping my daughter to be the best person she possibly can be.
We have been embraced as part of the family here at Southwest Judo and there is no place I would rather be.”
Brian “The Fury” Johnston
Judoka, Golden Gloves boxing champion, UFC Mixed Martial Artist, martial arts trainer
“We joined SWJA in July of 2010 when my boys were 13 & 8 years old, we originally joined for Jujitsu, however on the first visit to the club there was a Judo class scheduled immediately after so my husband stayed and let the boys try the Judo class and that was IT!! they were hooked immediately. In the past 4 years we cannot count the amount of Gold medals and titles they have won and this is down to the commitment and knowledge of the coaching staff. If you have thought about a martial art for your kids but don’t know too much about Judo I would suggest coming along and trying it out (I think its free for 1 week so what do you have to lose?) It is a great way to keep your kids active while learning the disciplines of a great Sport.
This is the best Judo club you will find by far, I recommend it to everyone I know.”
Parents of Lewis and Ellis Donnelly
“Southwest Training Center/Southwest Judo has been an amazing home and family to my family for over 7years now. There are many black belts on the mat coaching all the different skill levels and age groups. The black belts in this club are not just black belts they are accomplished national and international competitors. The mix of coaches gives you many variations of style of Judo and they all work to find the style that will make you, your child, your family successful. The atmosphere is a fun, hard working supportive one. There is not a family that I have met that has been a part of this club that I have not witnessed positive growth in. If you want to work on you, your children, your family’s confidence, activity level, focus and competitive spirit, Southwest Judo is the first place I would recommend.”
Charles McDonald
(Son Black belt, Daughter Brown belt…many multi-state titles and national awards)
“The first time we walked into Southwest Judo we knew we were at home. George, John, Rich, Dave and all the instructors are very skilled, friendly. At Southwest you are not a customer, you are family. My daughter Kylie met friends from all over the Valley. Southwest is hands down the best Judo school in Arizona. My daughter’s first Judo tournament was only 2 months after she started and it was a State tournament and she won. Just like they say at Southwest, it takes champions to make champions.”
Timothy Hunts-in-Winter
parent of an amazing Southwest Judo kid.