The Classical Judo Institute of Stamford CT

Our club (formerly known as Japan Judo & Karate) was founded in 1969, by K. Shiina who graduated from Nihon University of Tokyo, Japan in 1959, where he received the Best Technique Award at the Collegiate Championships.  Shiina Sensei (“Sensei” means coach or teacher in Japanese) produced many champions, most notably, Joe Wanag who finished 2nd in the 1991 World Championships and was a member of the 1992 U.S. Olympic Team in Barcelona.  

Shiina Sensei retired from his Stamford club in 1999, and now teaches privately at various clubs in the New York City area.  He was succeeded by one of his students, Chris Angle, who trained in Japan from 1974 to 1978 and was a competitor on the tournament circuit throughout the 1980’s.  On succeeding pages of this website you may view pictures of our dojo.

Head Coach
Chris Angle 

 End

Shiina Sensei and Chris

Judo is many things to different people.  It is a sport, an art, a discipline, a recreational or social activity, a physical conditioning program, a means of self-defense, and a way of life.  It is to some extent all of these; but to most participants, it is a sport.

Judo comes to us from the fighting systems of feudal Japan.  Founded in 1882 by Prof. Jigoro Kano, Judo is a refinement of the ancient martial art of Jujitsu.

Prof. Kano, President of Tokyo University College of Education, made a comprehensive study of these ancient art forms and integrated the best of their techniques into what is now the modern sport of Judo.

Judo was introduced into the Olympic Games in 1964 and is now played by millions of people throughout the world.   People play Judo to excel in competition, to stay in shape, to develop self-confidence and for many other reasons.   But, most of all, people play Judo just for the fun of it.

As in all sports, Judo has a strict set of rules that govern competitive play and ensures safety.  For those who desire to test their skills, Judo offers the opportunty of competition at all skill levels, from club to national tournaments, to major international events to the Olympic Games.  There are separate weight divisions for men and women, and boys and girls.

Judo can best be described as a special form of wrestling that allows the gripping of the opponent's raiment and emphasizes throws as well as pins.  In fact, Judo is best known for its spectacular throwing techniques.  The players wear special clothes to help with the application of throws, grappling, and other skills.  The same clothing enhances control for maximum safety in practice and competitive play.    Judo is played on special mats for added comfort and safety.

Unlike most other martial arts, there is no kicking or punching in Judo.  You do not have to wear protective gear or boxing gloves.  Judo emphasizes sport, fun, safety, and full physical activity for top conditioning.

If you like sports of physical activity, you will probably like the sport of Judo.  Judo is an inexpensive, year round activity, that appeals to people from all walks of life.  Judo provides the means for learning and improving oneself – physically, mentally, socially, and spiritually.