***KUDO***

Kudo Sensei has been involved in the martial arts for over fifty years, beginning his formal training in Japan at age nine. Kudo Sensei trained in a number of arts including Judo, Kendo, Sumo, and several styles of Karate. In high school he was awarded the All Northern Japan High School Judo Championship, graduated number one fighter and number seven academically. As a high school judo champion, he was invited to fight in front of the Japanese Emperor. After high school Kudo Sensei received a Judo scholarship and attended Meiji University where he earned a degree in economics in 1962. During this time he continued his intense training in the martial arts and was a member of the All Japan College Judo Team. In his senior year he served as the judo team’s captain. Kudo Sensei continued his training after college and was chosen to be the live-in student of Shihan Kitabasashi, the head Kodokan Judo instructor. He was also chosen to teach at the Japan Police Academy where he taught all hand-to-hand combat including Ju Jitsu, Judo, Combat Judo, and weapons. He also served as a martial arts instructor for the Emperor’s Royal Palace Secret Security Service from 1964 until 1968. It was around this time when Kudo Sensei became the All Japan Amateur Sumo Champion in both 1963 and 1964. At that time there were no weight classes and at only 205 lbs, Kudo Sensei was able to defeat much larger opponents. In both 1965 and 1966 he became the All Japan (Kokutai) National Judo Champion. There were also no weight classes in these competitions and he won weighing only 165lbs. While competing and teaching Judo, Kudo Sensei continued to train in Kendo and several Karate styles including Shotokan, Shito Ryu, and Kyokushin. Several years later Kudo Sensei moved to the United States where he continued to train and teach martial arts. He taught Karate and Judo at several colleges, dojos, and police departments. Around 1970 Kudo Sensei opened the Taka Karate & Judo dojo in Springfield, MA. He also continued competing in tournaments and won the AUU National Masters Judo Championship in 1976, 1978, and 1980. Kudo Sensei continues to train students at his Taka Karate & Judo dojo. He teaches Judo as well as Sui Shin Ryu Karate, a style he founded in 1997. Master Kudo holds a 8th dan in Judo, 8th dan in Shito Ryu (Shu Ko Kai) Karate, 4th dan in Ashihara Karate, 4th dan in Japanese Sumo, 3rd dan in Shotokan Karate, and 3rd dan in Kendo. He also has extensive experience in other arts, including Ju Jitsu, boxing, and weapons such as tonfa, tombo, and bo.