US World University Judo Team - 2017

06/01/2017

The 2017 Summer Universiade in Taipei --- The USA Judo Board of Directors will match funds up to $5,000 for all donations made in the month of June towards the U.S. World University Games Team!

Help support the collegiate athletes by donating today>>> http://www.teamusa.org/USA-Judo/Features/2017/June/01/BOD-To-Support-The-2017-World-University-Games-Judo-Team

05/26/2017

10/13/2016

IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT

Colton Brown and I, Harry Kendall, have officially resigned from our positions as the team coach and team manager. The decision was made when we were informed the NCJA would not pay for our airfare and lodging to the world games. But this in no way diminishes our commitment to making this trip memorable and special to all of the athletes and families. We will continue to help raise money and record your journey here. As far as we are concerned, our level of attention to your needs and organizational issues will not change.

We remain committed to making this the highlight of your judo experience.

10/03/2016

https://www.facebook.com/WUGUSA/about/?entry_point=page_nav_about_item

The official page of the U.S. delegation for the World University Games, World University Championships

10/02/2016

FUNDRAISING

The fourteen athletes profiled on this page have earned the honor of participating in the second largest sporting event in the world after the Olympics: the World University Games. The trip is entirely self-funded and is estimated to cost approximately $3,500 per athlete. Each athlete is now engaged in fundraising and could use your help.

Online fundraising sites are effective, but take a percentage of the amount contributed. So, if you know an athlete, a direct contribution would be more impactful than going through cloud funding. And, if tax deductions are part of your goal, contributions can be made through the National Collegiate Judo Association.

There is much to do to get to Taiwan in August, 2017 for the competition. Please lend a hand and a few dollars to help the members of the United States World University Judo Team make their dreams come true.

Harry Kendall
510.559.0317

10/01/2016

09/30/2016

Name: Jacob Nickel

College: University of Texas at San Antonio

Major: Multidisciplinary Studies Business, Communication, and Kinesiology

Hometown: San Antonio, Texas
Hometown Club: Universal Judo

Competition Division: Male - 81kg

Competition Results:
(2014)
3rd National Presidents Cup

(2015)
1st San Jose Buddhist
2nd Winter Nationals
(2016)
3rd Sr. U.S. Nationals

09/29/2016

Name: Aaron Fukuhara

College: Long Beach State

Major: Kinesiology

Hometown: Torrance, California
Hometown Dojo: Gardena Judo Club

Competition Division: Male - 60 kg

Competition results:

(2009)
3rd Sr. U.S. Nationals
3rd Sr. U.S. Open
1st Dallas Invitational

(2010)
3rd 2010 Sr. U.S. Nationals
2st Sr. Pan American Championships

(2016)
1st Collegiate Nationals
2nd USJF Summer Nationals

09/28/2016

Name: Destinee Nagtalon

College: San Jose State

Major: Biology

Hometown: San Jose, California
Hometown Dojo: San Jose Buddhist Judo Club

Competition Division: Female - 48kg

My name is Destinee Nagtalon, and I am currently a -48kg player for San Jose State University. I am a senior at SJSU studying Biology, with hopes to either teach or continue to physical therapy school after I graduate. I have been doing judo now for 15 years with San Jose Buddhist Judo Club. I love giving back to the judo community, whether it be through volunteering at various judo events, or help teach and coach young students. Watching the kids that I help succeed, is simply one of the best feelings in the world. I knew once I transferred to San Jose State from a community college, I wanted to compete internationally again. I had previously competed in Hungary and El Salvador when I was in high school, and was probably one of the best experiences that I’ve had competing in Judo. I am incredibly blessed to return to the international stage alongside my teammates from SJSU. Whenever I am not on the mat, you can find me trying new foods and cuisines around the Bay Area, or playing video games! I enjoy dressing up at various conventions such as Anime-Expo and Fanime Convention. A few cosplays that I have done are Lucina from Fire Emblem Awakening, Rey from Star Wars: The Force Awakens, and Spider-Gwen from the Spider Verse.

Please join me and my teammates on this journey to Taiwan!

Judo Highlights:
2009
Bronze - Pan American Juvenile Championships Cadet World Championship Team

2010
Silver - US Junior Nationals

2011
Silver & Gold - Youth and Scholastics Championships
Bronze - Junior US Open

2014
Gold - Youth and Scholastics Championships

2015
Silver - National Collegiates
5th - Senior Nationals
Gold - UC Davis Western Conference

2016
Gold - San Jose Buddhist Memorial Tournament
Gold - National Collegiates
5th - Senior Nationals

09/27/2016

Name: Miranda Imamura

College: Fresno State

Major: Nursing

Hometown: Fresno, California
Hometown Dojo: Fresno Judo Club

Competition Division: Female - 57kg

My name is Miranda Imamura. I am a Fresno State student and hoping to be accepted into the nursing program in the Spring. My grandfather is a ninth degree black belt in judo and my father and all of my uncles are also black belts in judo. Although judo pretty much runs in our family, I am the only grandchild that has stuck with judo. When I'm not training, I enjoy watching Netflix (I'm obsessed with Stranger Things and Grey's Anatomy.) I also am a huge movie buff and especially enjoy Marvel movies. I love to travel to new places and hang out with friends and family.

Judo Accomplishments:

USJF/USJA Jr. National Champion:
2004, 2009, 2010, 2012- Gold

National Collegiate Judo Chanpionships:
2014- Silver
2015- Bronze
2016- Gold

Senior National Championships:
2014- Bronze

I also have competed and trained in Japan.
Was promoted to Shodan by the United States Judo Federation at age 14

09/24/2016

Name: April Fehr

College: San Jose State

Major: Kinesiology major, pre med

Hometown:
Hometown Dojo:

Competition Division: Female - 70kg

Career highlights
Jr. National Champion
Jr. World team
5th at Sr. Nationals

Hobbies: eating, napping, and skiing