SAN DIEGO'S JUDO SCHOOL
Welcome to our San Diego Judo club. Originally started in 1949 by Sensei Al Holtmann, we are the longest running of all Judo schools in San Diego as well as North America overall. We offer outstanding classes and training, beneficial to both Judo purists and other athletes who want to learn the world’s premier Martial Art for throwing and stand up grappling.
Now run by Dr. Zibi Piec, a Rokudan (6th degree Black Belt) and one of the top Judo Coaches in the U.S., our Judo academy offers the best instruction in San Diego for both new students and experienced Judoka looking for high level training and Randori (judo sparring)
JUDO CLASSES
Our adult San Diego Judo classes are perfeect for developing balance, coordination, movement and and discipline while learning one of the world’s most dynamic Martial Arts. We focus the first part of Judo class on both fundamental and advanced Judo techniques, followed by live sparring (Randori) for those who wish to participate.
Beginners are taught the fundamentals of falling (Ukemi) and then move on to the basics of throwing. As they advance, students are taught the intricacies of various throws and learn to chain them together.
JUDO TRAINING
Like all of our Combat Sports programs, we offer a strong emphasis on Judo training competition. For those who wish to compete in a variety of San Diego, National and International tournaments, we work individually and in groups to focus on the necessary strategies and skills needed for Judo competition success.
Coach Zibi heads our Judo Competition program and has led us to victory in prestigious tournaments such as the USJA / USJF Winter Nationals, where we’ve placed in the top 10 of over 100 teams, including ones from Judo powerhouses Japan, Korea and France.
JUDO COACHES
Dr. Zbigniew Piec, better known as Zibi, is our Head Jiu Jitsu Coach. Zibi started training in Judo at the age of 10 and has studied with some of the most respected teachers in the World. He has competed extensively on an international level and lived in Japan for 6 years, where he trained at the Kodokan and Tsukuba University.
Karen Maestro is our children’s Judo Coach. She has been training and coaching in Judo for decades, beginning at our original location with our founder Sensei Al Holtmann. She is widely respected as one of the best Judo coaches for children in the U.S.
JUDO
SUCCESS STORY: ALAN K.
“I’d been training Judo for several months before I came here. I really wanted to pick the best Judo school I could find. It’s become my favorite one in San Diego. Learning Judo techniques has had a lot of positive development for my life in my overall confidence and my fitness levels, and it adds to my other martial arts in general. Zibi is patient, he’s not overbearing, he teaches a lot of good material. He doesn’t withhold good techniques and he really focuses on where you’re at in learning and what you need to learn.”
JUDO
SUCCESS STORY: KOJI F.
“I’ve been training Judo for about 34 years. I started in Japan, grew up in Japan and came over here when I was 20. Zibi is a very solid teacher. He’s been trained in Japan as well. We learn a lot from him. Traditional Kodokan style Judo to Self Defense training. It’s one of the best Judo Dojo’s in San Diego. At age 41, I’m still competing at a high level. We keep training hard to continue representing The Arena. We’re doing a really good job. It’s one of the greatest gyms in town.”
TEAM ARENA: COMPETITION JUDO
Ready to take it to the next level? Want to compete for one of the best teams in Judo? Then become part of Team Arena. Preparing athletes for competition is the backbone of The Arena and one of the primary reasons why we do what we do here. All you need to do to start on the path to compete for us in Judo is to complete our “Ready to Compete for The Arena” form.
Whether you’re just beginning in Judo, or you already have Amateur or Professional experience, we have you covered. If you’re a Beginner, we’ll make you a skilled Novice. If you’re an experienced Novice, we’ll take you to the top of the Amateur ranks. If you’re a high level Amateur, we can bring you to a World Class level.
OUR PROGRAMS
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JUDO FAQs
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The Arena Combat Sports Gym
This is who we are, and this is what we do. We offer every class you need to get started on your Martial Arts journey. Get in and train!
The Arena’s Judo Program
Judo, or “the gentle way” is a system of unarmed combat, modern Japanese martial art, and Olympic sport. The objective of competitive judo is to throw an opponent, immobilize them with a pin, or force an opponent to submit with a joint lock or a
Arena Windbreakers Back In Stock!
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