KIDS (4 to 7 years old)

  • Mondays 5:30PM - 6:30PM

    KIDS (8 to 12 years old)

  • Thursday Group1 5:30PM - 6:30PM
  • Group2 @ 6:30PM - 7:30PM
Open Mat on Thursdays at 7:30PM -8:30PM
(with instructor permission)


    ADULTS

  • Monday @ 7:00 PM
Open Mat - Thursdays 7:30PM -8:30PM
(with instructor permission)

    ADULTS

  • Monday @ 7:00 PM
  • Friday @ 7:00 PM

    KIDS (4 to 7 years old)

  • Monday @ 5:30PM

    KIDS (8 to 12 years old)

  • Thursday Group1 @ 5:30PM
  • Group2 @ 6:30PM
Open Mat on Thursdays at 7:30 PM
(Competitors & higher ranks only)
What is Judo?

Judo, is a Japanese Martial Art that was founded in 1882 by Dr. Jigoro Kano. It teaches effective self-defense by using the momentum of an opponent's attack to your advantage.

Practicing Judo is a great way to build confidence, improve mental sharpness, and increase physical stamina. It is also an Olympic sport.

In Judo, both the "uke" (person recieving the throw), and the "tori" (person executing the throw) are required to wear a Judo Gi.

There are three main ways of practicing judo.

  1. Formal exercises (Kata)
  2. Freestyle fighting (Randori)
  3. Competition (Shiai)
Judo became an Olympic sport in 1964. The competitive aspect of Judo is very exciting and fast-paced.

There are several ways to win a Judo match.

  • Throwing an opponent fully on his / her back
  • Submission typically by a choke or an armlock
  • holding an opponent in a pin for 25 seconds
  • Being ahead on the score card once the match time has expired.
Instructors
of Toshi Dojo
Sensei Eberhard Kieslich (Left) | Sensei Eric Kieslich (Right)

Sensei Eb Kieslich

...has been the instructor of Toshi Dojo since the judo club's first class in 1998. Since the founding of the club, Sensei Eb has coached many of Toshi Dojo's students and helped them to achieve major tournament success. His instruction is highly regarded both in the US and in Europe where his clinics often attract hundreds of participants.

Having started taking Judo classes at the age of 13 in Germany, Eb knew early on that competing at a high level would be his goal. At the club where he trained in Germany, he frequently received instruction from high-level competitors from all over europe as well as Japan. He eventually went on to win many large competitions in Europe.

In 1990 he relocated to the US and has since won the US National Masters twice - in 1995 and 1998. In 2003 he placed 2nd in the World Masters Championships. In the year 2003, Sensei Eb was promoted to 6th Dan (6th Degree Blackbelt). Even to this day, he is one of the highest ranked Judoka in the region. He is one of only a handful of Judoka ever to reach such a high judo rank in the state of Kentucky.


_____________________________________________________

Sensei Eric Kieslich

...began practicing judo at the age of 5 in 1991. Most of the judo clubs in the Louisville area at that time rarely offered kids classes, therefore he had little choice but to train with adults. A year or so later he had achieved his yellow belt and found himself at a tournament standing across from an opponent roughly his own size. Although that first tournament didn't yield a medal, it did however, reveal the purpose behind all of the hours spent training.

Each tournament Sensei Eric competed in Thereafter provided valuable experience and a hint as to where improvements must be made. Step by step, the techniques began to come together and his confidence in his Judo abilities grew. By the time he was a teenager, he had won the 'Kentucky State Championship' 4 times as well as many other titles from other local events. Finally at the age of 17, he placed 2nd in the 'Junior National Championships' and 4th place in the 'Junior Olympics'.

Most recently he took 1st Place at the '2018 Americas Cup' in Portland, IN (many events since had been cancelled due to COVID 19). Sensei Eric still competes at a high level to this day and is planning to fight in several large national tournaments in 2022.





Frequently Asked Questions





  1. Where can I obtain a Judo Gi(Uniform)?

  2. After signing up, we should be able to provide an affordable, correctly sized Judo Gi at our Dojo, in most cases we will even have it on hand.

  3. Is Judo like Karate or Tae Kwon Do?

  4. While Judo, Karate, and Tae Kwon Do are all considered martial arts, Judo does not involve striking but instead is a full contact sport based mostly on grappling. It is more comparable to wrestling.

  5. What's the difference between Judo and Jiu Jitsu

  6. Judo and Jiu Jitsu are truly very similar, in fact, both Judo and Brazilian Jiu Jitsu stem from the original Japanese Jiu Jitsu. The difference mainly comes down to how the points are scored in competition.

  7. Where can I find out about class cancellations and other updates?

  8. For the latest up to date news (such as cancellations), please visit our facebook page, the link is at the top right of this site.