San Diego Judo
The art of
Judo.
Judo for kids, adults, and competitors in San Diego. Learn from coaches with experience at the national and international levels in a supportive environment where every student can grow.
More than learning
how to throw.
Judo is a skill you build over time. Students learn how to fall safely, then develop movement, grips, timing, and eventually the throws themselves. Progress takes time, but you can see it—and you earn it.
What students learn on the mat carries beyond judo. They develop focus, resilience, physical confidence, respect for their training partners, and the discipline to keep showing up. Kids grow with the sport over the years, while adults discover that judo can be challenging, rewarding, and meaningful at any age.
Everyone starts as a beginner. That's where the journey begins.
What is Judo?
Judo is a Japanese martial art and Olympic sport centered around throws, pins, and controlled grappling. As students progress and age, they may also learn submissions as appropriate for their level and the rules of their division. Judo emphasizes technique, timing, balance, and leverage rather than relying on size or strength alone.
Every Judoka starts somewhere.
A place to train for years.
Students move at their own pace. Competition is a pathway, not a requirement — recreational and competitive training happen side by side in the same room.
- 01
Little Judokas
Ages 4–6 · movement and confidence
- 02
Kids Judo
Ages 7+ · technique and athleticism
- 03
Competition
Optional · randori and match training
- 04
Advanced Judo
Adults · lifelong practice
Owned and coached by former competitors.
Judo taught with purpose.
- Proven coaching
- National and international competitive experience brought directly onto the mat.
- Beginner friendly
- No previous martial arts experience required. Most students start with none.
- A path to compete
- Athletes who want to compete have access to competition-focused training.
- Built for development
- Technique, athleticism, confidence, discipline and resilience, built over time.
- Community
- A training room where people know each other and improve together.
Proudly connected with
- USA Judo
- Pacific Southwest Judo Association
On the mat weekly.
Monday
- 4:00–5:00 PMKids Judo (7–9 years old)Leilani Akiyama
- 5:00–6:00 PMKids Judo (10+ years old)Leilani Akiyama
- 6:00–7:00 PMAdult FundamentalsJacob Flores
- 7:00–8:30 PMAdult Judo — Intermediate to AdvancedJacob Flores
Tuesday
- 4:00–5:00 PMKids Judo (7–9 years old)Leilani Akiyama
- 5:00–6:00 PMKids Judo (10+ years old)Leilani Akiyama
- 6:00–7:00 PMKids Judo Competition TeamLeilani Akiyama
- 7:00–8:30 PMAdult Judo — Intermediate to AdvancedJacob Flores
Wednesday
- 4:00–4:45 PMLittle Judokas (4–6 years old)Leila Valencia
- 5:00–6:00 PMKids Judo Competition TeamLeilani Akiyama
- 6:00–7:30 PMAdult Judo — All LevelsJacob Flores
Thursday
- 4:00–5:00 PMKids Judo (7–9 years old)Leilani Akiyama
- 5:00–6:00 PMKids Judo (10+ years old)Leilani Akiyama
- 6:00–7:00 PMKids Judo Competition TeamLeilani Akiyama
- 7:00–8:30 PMAdult Judo — Intermediate to AdvancedJacob Flores
Friday
- 4:00–4:45 PMLittle Judokas (4–6 years old)Leila Valencia
- 5:00–6:00 PMKids Judo Competition TeamLeilani Akiyama
- 6:00–7:00 PMAdult FundamentalsJacob Flores
- 7:00–8:30 PMAdult Judo RandoriJacob Flores
Saturday
- 10:00–10:45 AMLittle Judokas (4–6 years old)Leila Valencia
- 11:00 AM–12:00 PMKids Judo Competition TeamLeilani Akiyama
Schedule subject to change.
Not sure which class?
Try a Class
A community built on the mat.
Yelp
My kids have been training Judo with sensei Leilani Akiyama for 2 years. Her instruction and attention to detail is the best! Combined with her background competing and coaching at the highest levels my son has been enjoying learning and competing. Judo training
Yelp
My husband grew up doing Judo (ok, Junior National champion in US and Canada) and searched all over San Diego for a dojo with proper training basics for our kids. Sensei Leilani and Jacob are amazing with a wealth of experience and accomplishments themselves. The group is great and our kids look forward to seeing new friends they've made. If you're looking for a new place or place to continue martial arts in a safe setting, this is your place.
Yelp
My son has trained judo with Sensei Leilani Akiyama for over a year now. He started with no judo experience and has since competed in tournaments and earned medals. He absolutely loves and respects her. She is perfect with kids and has a challenging but fun curriculum. The dojo is impeccably clean and has ample parking. It is very family friendly. We also take the kids jiu jitsu classes during the week with Sensei Matheus Alarcao. He is very attentive and technical and my son really enjoys jiu jitsu class with him. We often stay after the kids class to briefly watch the adult classes for judo taught by Jacob Flores. The classes are impressive to watch. I would highly recommend visiting the dojo and taking a class.
From the dojo.
Before you start.
Yes. Most people who walk in have never trained before. Adult Fundamentals and beginner-friendly kids classes are built for exactly that — you learn how to move, fall safely and grip from the first session.
Little Judokas is for ages 4–6. Kids Judo begins at age 7, with classes grouped 7–9 and 10+.
For your trial class, we recommend wearing a T-shirt and athletic shorts, or leggings that can be comfortably worn under a loaner judogi, which we will provide. Judo is practiced barefoot, so no special footwear is needed.
No. You do not need a judogi to try a class. We'll talk you through uniform options once you decide to keep training.
Yes. Adults train here at every level — complete beginners, returning athletes and experienced judoka. Training intensity is something you and the coaches manage together.
Moments from the dojo.
Step
onto
the mat.
Whether you're looking for your child's first sport, starting Judo as an adult, or searching for serious training, there's a place to begin at San Diego Judo.