Riverside Youth Judo Club Scholarships & Awards

The Riverside Youth Judo Club is a charitable, non-profit club dedicated to the academic and physical education of its students. This concept remains constant within Judo’s core values. Our club offers the following Scholarships and Awards to our most deserving students:

The Tadashi Hiraoka Scholarship

“Sensei Tadashi Hiraoka has been a lifelong practitioner of traditional Kodokan Judo. He competed on his high school Judo team and was the captain of his university Judo team. He graduated from Hosei University in Tokyo with a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration in 1966. Hiraoka Sensei emigrated from Japan in 1968 to teach Judo in the United States. He went on to become a two time U.S. Champion and a World Champion since arriving in the United States. Hiraoka Sensei has always taught the importance of education and its deep connection to Judo. He has supported the understanding that Judo was developed to help make the Judo student a better member of society. In keeping with the Hiraoka tradition, this scholarship is awarded to Judo students who have demonstrated strong values and character towards furthering their education, while becoming outstanding members of our community. It is with great honor and pride that the Riverside Police Foundation and Riverside Youth Judo Club present the Tadashi Hiraoka Judo Scholarship to its most deserving Judo students.”

This scholarship is awarded to our graduating seniors who will attend an accredited college or university within the immediate Fall quarter or semester. The most exceptional students shall win the top scholarship amount. An “exceptional” student is one who has been with the club, at least, one year and strives toward excellence in their education, community service, personal discipline, and judo studies. Class attendance will also be considered – the scholarship will be reduced for significant absences from class. Smaller scholarship amounts may be offered to those students who do not meet “exceptional” status — however, it is our hope that each graduating senior qualifies for the top scholarship!

The Satoshi Nakama Award

“Sensei Satoshi Nakama was born in Okinawa, Japan in 1953. He became profoundly deaf at age five. Nakama Sensei began overcoming his disability at an early age by studying Okinawan Shorin Ryu Karate. He learned to communicate by using Japanese Sign Language (JSL) and American Sign Language (ASL). Nakama Sensei arrived in the United States in 1967. He lived in Los Angeles, California and attended Hollywood High School and the California Institute for the Arts. He began studying Judo in Los Angeles and in 2013 skillfully progressed to the rank of Yondan (4th Degree Black Belt). Nakama Sensei is an outstanding Judo practioner and a patient teacher. He is an instructor at West Covina Judo Dojo, UCR Judo Dojo, and the Riverside Youth Judo Club. His teaching and training methods are at the highest level. He is highly respected by all who know him. This award represents the strength and perseverance Nakama Sensei has displayed throughout his life. The award will be presented to those deserving Judo students who have been invited to educational and/or Judo related activities. The award will help defer a portion of the cost for the student. It is with great honor and pride that the Riverside Police Foundation and Riverside Youth Judo Club present the Satoshi Nakama Judo Award to its most deserving Judo students.”

This is a monetary award given to any of our judo students who have been invited to any academic camp (e.g. math or science camp) or any judo activity (Nationals, etc.). This award will be used to help offset some of the costs related to the activity. Award amounts will vary. Our students have received this award for participating in activities such as EPIC (Engineering Possibilities in College) and the Deaf Olympics. Our funding comes from generous patronage by the Riverside Police Foundation and other gracious donations by local businesses and community members. We also use our tuition proceeds to help pay for these scholarships and awards.

Scholarship Recipients