Our Coaches

Get IN touCh

Olympic Medalist & Founder

Ronnie Nicholson

Major Competition – Record

1966 YMCA National Judo Championships Nicholson at 15 years old won both the Junior & Senior Men’s YMCA National Judo Championships on the same night.
1970 La. National Championship Trials Goal Medalist & Grand Champion
1970 North Eastern Shufu Judo Yudanshakai Championship 154 LBs Gold Medalist
1972 All S. E. Judo Championship Goal Medalist & Grand Champion at 154 Lbs.
v Grand Championships are no longer held but back then the Gold Medalist of each weight division would fight each other to determine the “Grand Champion” of the tournament!
1973 All S. E. Judo Championship Goal Medalist 176 LBs
1974 All S. E. Judo Championship Goal Medalist & Grand Champion at 154 Lbs.
1994 National Masters Judo Championship Gold Medalist
2007 US Open Masters Judo Championships Gold Medalist
2007 Fall Classic Masters Championships Gold Medalist
2011 US National Masters Judo Championships Bronze Medalist
2013 US National Masters Judo Championships Gold Medalist
2009, 10, 11 & 12 La State Judo Championships Gold Medalist

Accolades & Regional Competition Highlights

1967 Voted High School Outstanding Judo Player
1969 GA. State Champion
1969 GA. A.A.U Sportsmanship Award
1974 Voted Outstanding Southern AAU Judo Athlete of the Year
1975 Voted Outstanding Southern AAU Judo Athlete of the Year
1979 Voted Outstanding Southern AAU Judo Athlete of the Year
Undefeated in LA State & Open Judo Championships (over 12 entries)
6 Time LA State Judo “Grand Champion”
7 Time undefeated as Mississippi State Judo champion
3 Time Mississippi State “Grand Champion”
US National Judo Championship medalist in two different weight divisions.

Elite Competition Record

1974 National Colligate Championship Silver Medalist
1975 National Colligate Championship Bronze Medalist
1975 Canadian National Exhibition Bronze Medalist
1976 National Colligate Championship Silver Medalist
1976 Canadian National Exhibition Silver Medalist
1977 National Judo Championship Silver Medalist 154 lb. Division
1977 World Judo Championships Pre-Trials for Barcelona, Spain
1977 (Circa) International YMCA Judo Championships In Mexico City Olympic Village Gold Medial
1979 National Judo Championship Bronze Medalist 176 lb. division
1980 Pan American Judo championship Trials Bronze Medalist

Rank Promotions

1966 Batsugun Promotion to Shodan(Only awarded in completion):
At the 1966 YMCA National Judo Championships, Nicholson, at 15 years old, took Gold in both the junior & the 139 lb. Senior Men’s division in the same Night. The Batsugun was awarded after defeating 2 Nidans, 3 Shodans and 5 additional senior opponents. He also had 7 wins in the junior division.
1972 Batsugun Promotion to Nidan
1983 Batsugun Promotion to Sandan
Current USA Judo Promotion to Yodan

Judo and Physics Instructor

Dr. Sanichiro Yoshida

Dr. Yoshida is a native of Tokyo, Japan. He went to Azabu High School and studied at Università Keio. He is now a professor at Southeastern Louisiana University.

Dr. Yoshida began his Judo competition as a Junior & went on to place highly in the All-Japan High School Championships. He is a long-time member of Kodokan Judo School in Tokyo, Japan, the mecca of the judo world. We had the pleasure of training together at the Kodokan some time back. He has a Dojo at Southeastern Louisiana University and is also the coach and manager here at Olympic Judo Dojo.

He holds the Judo rank of Yodan (4th Degree Black Belt). His many judo tournament wins, great dedication, hard work, and love of judo has made him a beloved and respected Sensei.

Join Us

Our inclusive community welcomes individuals of all ages, backgrounds, and abilities. Experience a transformative journey with Judo, where every practice strengthens your body, sharpens your mind, and cultivates life skills.