Judo is back on campus!
RPI Judo has gotten a fresh start here on campus! Welcome back to Sensei Noriyasu Kudo. Kudo Sensei is an eighth degree black belt (out of 10), originally born in Japan, and former instructor for the Tokyo Police Academy. Kudo Sensei was the first Judo instructor here at RPI and has returned to teach again! We practice Monday and Thursday from 8-10pm upstairs in the Mueller Center. We've been doing well the past couple years, we have many new members (and more girls)! Please feel free to join us, even if you're a beginner!
Some Notes from our President:About Gis (Uniforms)
You will need a gi to practice Judo. Through the club it will cost $25 for everything you need. If you have a judogi already you can, of course, wear that one. Until you get your gi, please wear clothes without rivets or zippers (long pants preferred). Your clothes will get pulled on so don't wear anything you wouldn't want to have stretched or ripped. Jewelry is also a hazard when rolling around on the mats. We will be putting in a bulk order for gis in the first few weeks of the semester.
Etiquette
Since Kudo Sensei is a more traditional Japanese judoka, he is more attached to formalities than other instructors from the states. It would be considered fine to call him "Sensei Kudo" (like Prof. Smith) or "Kudo Sensei" (ordered like in traditional Japanese, preferred) or just "Sensei". Kudo Sensei will expect us to have the mats set up and be most of the way done with, if not done with, our warm-up when he arrives for the 8pm class. If everyone could get there by 7:40pm for now to set up the mats it would help a lot. We should try to start a warm-up before 8pm at the latest.
Also, there are no shoes on the tatami mats. It would be preferable to also leave your shoes by the door upon entering the room. If you bring bags try to make sure they are zipped up during practice and look neat along the wall. Bowing is also done to enter the mat area (when it is set up) and to leave the mat area (always done facing the inside of the mat area). Other than that, try your best to follow what he says. From my experience he is pretty easy going if he thinks you are trying to do the right thing.
Contact Info/Officers
President: Joe Pelletier at pellej4@rpi.edu
Vice President: Steve Tran at trans@rpi.edu
Treasurer: Kathy Deblasio at deblak@rpi.edu
If you have questions about anything judo-related, feel free to get in touch with any of us. | 
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