Promotions, Awards Ceremony, Parents and Children Class and More!

December Promotions

December testing is well under way! Every student will be tested this month and our belt promotion ceremony, for those receiving new belts, will be on Wednesday, December 20, at 6:45 pm. Shima promotions will be $35 and new belts will be $50.

Awards Ceremony and Pot Luck

We celebrated 2023 with awards and a delicious pot-luck this past week on December 13. We recognized our Sempai, our Senseis, some families and our outstanding members. We also had awards for our members from Alameda, Piedmont and our many Oakland schools.

January Oyako - Parent and Child - Judo!

In January, two year olds, working with their parents – and a big stuffed tiger – will be able to enjoy Hanabi Judo in our “Oyako” or Parent and Child class. Children will learn how to fall safely, sing enthusiastically, speak Japanese and follow instructions like a real judo kid. Oyako Classes will be on Mondays at 3:45 pm and on Saturday mornings at 8:15.

French Judo-in-Schools Clinic

I attended a clinic given by the French National Judo Union, featuring World Champion and Olympic Silver medalist Larbi Benboudaoud from December 6 -8 in Los Angeles. The training was good but meeting fellow judo instructors from across the country and around the world was wonderful. The experience of being with other judo educators really makes you feel part of a big international judo family.

New Prices for 2024

In January, in addition to adding new classes and new teachers, Hanabi will be having price increases. Chibi 1x a week: $160; Chibi Unlimited: $195; Hajime 11 years and under Unlimited: $200; Honto 11 years and under: $205; 12 years and older Unlimited: $215