Hayward Nishioka is a Japanese-American community college physical education instructor[1] and former judo competitor.[2]

Early life

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Nishioka was born in 1942, and lived some of his early years in the Manzanar internment camp.[2][3] He started to learn judo at age 13 from his step father Dan Oka.[4]

Career

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Nishioka competed in Kata in the 1962 All-Japan National Championship. Nishioka won a gold medal for judo at the 1967 Pan American Games. He won five consecutive national championships from 1965 to 1970.[2] He ranked 5th in the world in 1965 and 1967. He is a former world team member and world team coach for judo.[5] He is known for his gripping skills and techniques.[5]

Nishioka currently teaches Judo at Los Angeles City College.[6] On January 13, 1987, Rorion, Royler and Rickson Gracie came to Nishioka's judo school.[7] Nishioka, at the age of 44, demonstrated to Rickson Gracie (age 28) a number of judo throws.[8]

One of his students was Yuji Okumoto, who is known as Chozen Toguchi in The Karate Kid Part II and Cobra Kai.[9]

Nishioka earned a black belt in Karate under trainer Tsutomu Oshima.[10] He is a two-time Black Belt Hall of Fame member.[4] He is a 10th degree black belt (as of April 2024) in judo.[11] Nishioka is a Class A-rated International Judo Federation referee.[12]

Media

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In the movie, Best of the Best 2, Nishioka played the Korean, Sae-jin Kwon. He also appeared in the movie Ulterior Motives.[13] He interviewed celebrities and author articles for Black Belt Magazine including Russia's controversial judoka.[14] Nishioka is the author books including Training for Competition: Judo – Coaching, Strategy and the Science for Success, The Judo Textbook and Judo Heart and Soul.[4] He made 38 instructional tapes on judo.[10]

References

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  1. ^ "Los Angeles City College Adjunct Faculty". LA City College website.
  2. ^ a b c "When Colleges Abandon Phys Ed, What Else Is Lost?". The Chronicle of Higher Education. 12 January 2015.
  3. ^ Zentz, David (2015-01-13). "Day in the Life of judo legend Hayward Nishioka for the Chronicle of Higher Ed".
  4. ^ a b c "Hayward Nishioka Reveals How Judo Changed His Life — and How It Can Change Yours!".
  5. ^ a b "Judo Techniques Info: Hayward Nishioka on How Gripping Skills Can Make a Difference in Judo Competition". 16 July 2012.
  6. ^ Hayward Nishioka
  7. ^ "Gracie Invasion January 13, 1987". global-training-report.com.
  8. ^ "Hayward Nishioka vs Rickson Gracie JUDO VS BJJ Judô Wins". YouTube.
  9. ^ Interview: Yuji Okumoto, Actor/Director/Martial Artist
  10. ^ a b HAYWARD NISHIOKA Bio in USA Dojo
  11. ^ "The Need for the Recreational Judoka". bitLanders. 15 January 2015.
  12. ^ "USJF Profile-Hayward Nishioka".
  13. ^ Hayward Nishioka at IMDb
  14. ^ "Black Belt". Black Belt. Buyer's Guide. Active Interest Media, Inc.: 42– June 1970. ISSN 0277-3066.
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