Leilani Akiyama
Leilani began judo at seven years old and went on to spend more than a decade competing as a member of Team USA.
She competed on four Senior World Teams and six Senior Pan American Teams, earned 17 Senior international medals, and won the 2014 Senior National Championship. In 2021, she was invited to compete at the World Masters, an elite event featuring the world's top 36 judoka in each weight category. She was also an Olympic hopeful for the 2016 and 2020 Olympic Games and has been selected to coach Team USA.
Alongside judo, Leilani competed in wrestling for 10 years and became a two-time High School Wrestling All-American.
Today, Leilani is the head youth coach at San Diego Judo, where she passes on the fundamentals, discipline, and lessons she learned throughout her own journey.
- Over 25× Junior National Champion
- Began Judo at age 7 in Japan
- 10 years with Team USA
- 4 Senior World Teams
- 6 Senior Pan American Teams
- 17 Senior international medals
- 2014 Senior National Champion
- Invited among the world's top 36 judoka to the 2021 World Masters
- Pursued Olympic qualification for 2016 and 2021
- 10 years of wrestling experience
- 2× High School Wrestling All-American
- Selected to coach Team USA
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.