Solano college judo club history

The Solano Judo Club started out as a physical education course at Solano Community College. The club is instructed by Dr. James H. Tanaka, who began learning judo at the age of 5 and has had the opportunity to train at the Kodokan. He has also instructed at the United States Air Force Academy. He holds a 7th degree black belt and is a Certified Judo Master Rank Examiner.

Students taking the course expressed an interest in entering competitions. Through the United States Judo Association, he formed the original Solano College Judo Club. Since then, the Solano Judo Club has never had a losing season, competing against college clubs like San Jose State Judo Club, Stanford, City College of San Francisco and local clubs like San Jose Buddhist Judo Club, Palo Alto Judo Club, Sacramento Judo Club, and the East Bay Judo Institute.

Now with 200+ members scattered throughout the world, the Solano Judo club has become one of the largest clubs in the country. With such a growing number of students interested in judo, Dr. Tanaka has set up additional classes outside of the college. Additional classes have been set up at Rancho Solano’s Millennium Sports Club which is instructed by Kalani Mertyris.