Shintaro and Peter sit down to do an extensive debrief of Shintaro’s recent trip to Tbilisi, Georgia, and Antalya, Turkey, where he had the opportunity to experience and commentate on the exhilarating world of high-level judo competition. Shintaro shares behind-the-scenes insights into event organization, athlete professionalism, and the evolving l…

In this episode of the Shintaro Higashi Show, Shintaro sits down with Robert Eriksson, the head coach for the new US Judo National Resident Training Center in Charlotte, North Carolina. Robert shares insights into his transition from being the Swedish national team's head coach to taking on a pivotal role in USA Judo. They discuss Robert’'s coachin…

As some of you may know, Peter has been a PhD student since he quit his job as a software engineer back in 2020. During this time, he’s gained a lot of insight in scientific research and innovation, and how they are related to Judo. In this episode, Peter and Shintaro discuss how Peter has utilized his learnings from AI research into Judo, and vice…

In this episode, Shintaro sits down with legendary Dr. Rhadi Ferguson to talk about his journey through the world of Judo, BJJ, wrestling, Olympics and MMA. Dr. Ferguson shares his approach to coaching, and how his experiences as an athlete and coach have informed his perspective on success, both on and off the mat. Join our Discord server and star…

In modern society, with so many competing interests, martial arts also needs strong branding to survive. In this episode, Shintaro and Peter delve into effective ways to brand yourself in the martial arts world and beyond. Join our Discord server and start chatting with us and other grapplers by supporting us on Patreon: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.patreo…

Shintaro recently traveled to Tbilisi, Georgia as one of the IJF commentators for 2024 Judo Grand Slam Tbilisi. In the midst of his busy schedule, he was able to find some time to sit down in his hotel room and reflect on his experience so far. What does it take to run a huge event like a IJF Grand Slam? What do the IJF staff members think about th…

In this episode, Peter sits down with the Ruotolo brothers Kade and Tye. The brothers talk about how they started BJJ as babies and their professional careers, as well as their upcoming fights at ONE Fight Night 21 on 4/5/2024. You can catch their fights on Amazon Prime!Join our Discord server and start chatting with us and other grapplers by suppo…

Mattia Galbiati is a decorated Judoka from Italy who's had great success after transitioning to Sambo. In this episode, Shintaro and Mattia discuss who the transition was for him, and what the differences are between Judo and Sambo. Join our Discord server and start chatting with us and other grapplers by supporting us on Patreon: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://…

How do you become a good Judo teacher, and what does a good Judo teacher even look like? In this episode, Shintaro and Peter critically examine the teaching methods of Judo in America. How valid is the "traditional" way of teaching that was imported from Japan? Is there a better approach? Join our Discord server and start chatting with us and other…

Shintaro sits down with Nicky Yonezuka, the second generation of the famous Yonezuka family. Nicky shares what it was like growing up in a Judo family with his father, Yoshisada Yonezuka, who was a highly accomplished Judoka in Japan, and making it to the 1980 Olympics at 16 years old. Shintaro and Nicky also discuss what it has been like to be the…

Shintaro introduces a new video series—The Private Lesson Series! This series aims to replicate the experience of a private lesson with Shintaro. Moving away from the traditional lecture format, where Shintaro would typically explain a technique, the videos in the Private Lesson Series adopt a more interactive approach. Here, Shintaro concentrates …

Shintaro and Peter have extensively discussed the 'everyday Judoka,' for whom competition and randori may not be the most effective ways to learn and enjoy Judo. But what about those hobbyist Judokas who wish to take Judo more seriously and compete at local levels or beyond? How can they best train with limited time? Which tournaments should they c…

Running a kids' program is one of the most important yet often overlooked aspects of managing a successful martial arts school. Essential for growth and sustainability, these programs, however, are frequently seen by many martial arts instructors as secondary to adult programs. What does it take to run a fun, educational, and successful kids' progr…

Shintaro and Peter have extensively discussed the economics of Judo in the United States. Now that we understand the current status quo, what can we do about it? More specifically, how can we grow our gyms to in turn help Judo expand at the grassroots level? Join our Discord server and start chatting with us and other grapplers by supporting us on …

It's a simple reality: the more money that flows into Judo, the more popular it becomes. But how do the economics of Judo in America compare to those in other parts of the world? Is there room for improvement? In this special episode, sponsored by ⁠FUJI Sports⁠, Shintaro sits down with Jimmy Pedro for the third time to discuss the economics of Judo…

Judo, and grappling in general, is usually thought to be a long journey. But is there a way to shorten it? Shintaro believes there is! In this episode, he shares his idea of a fast track to success in Judo and grappling. Join our Discord server and start chatting with us and other grapplers by supporting us on Patreon: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.patreon.…

Shintaro sits down with Austin Cook, a Stanford-trained medical doctor whose illustrious Judo career includes gold medals at the U.S. Nationals and U.S. Open, along with a bronze medal at the Panamerican Open. They delve into Austin's grappling journey, discussing his unorthodox and innovative training methods. Join our Discord server and start cha…

Uke appreciation episode! Being an Uke is a huge part of Judo, but it's often not the most popular role, and many Judoka never bother to work on their Uke skills. Is it time for us to change that? In this episode, Shintaro and Peter what we can do to become a good Uke. Join our Discord server and start chatting with us and other grapplers by suppor…

How do you actually make it to the Olympics in Judo? Is it just a matter of being skilled at Judo, or does it involve much more? In this special episode, sponsored by FUJI Sports, Shintaro sits down with Jimmy Pedro, a 2-time Olympic bronze medalist and world champion, to discuss what it really takes to become an Olympian in Judo. How should you tr…

Shintaro is now a dirty guard puller! We Judokas, and some BJJ'ers, love to make fun of guard pullers, but is the ridicule really warranted? In this episode, Shintaro and Peter discuss pulling guard, especially Shintaro's recent experience in his BJJ journey. Is pulling guard useful? If so, when is it useful, and how can we do it most effectively? …

With no-gi grappling's meteoric rise, no-gi Judo has recently been gaining attention. What exactly is no-gi Judo? Is it basically just Judo without the gi, or is it an entirely different sport that deserves its own spotlight? In this episode, Shintaro and Peter discuss no-gi Judo: how they have been approaching it, and how we as Judokas should appr…

In this special episode sponsored by FUJI Sports, Shintaro sits down with Jimmy Pedro to discuss the most important demographic in Judo—the everyday Judoka. Jimmy goes into detail about how hobbyists, everyday Judokas, can get the most out of Judo, and what the broader Judo community can do to help them succeed. Check out American Judo System for v…

A metagame, often described as a 'game within a game,' refers to the strategies used within a game to secure victory. Every competitive game, including Judo, has its own metagame. Yet, due to Judo's rapid pace and nuanced tactics, its metagame can be challenging to recognize and analyze. In this episode, Shintaro and Peter delve into the most preva…

Making friends and finding your own community at the dojo is key to success for any Judoka. That's actually how Shintaro and Peter became friends! In this episode, Shintaro and Peter discuss how we can make friends at the dojo effectively, and foster a friendly environment where everyone is welcome. Join our Discord server and start chatting with u…

Incorporating small games into your practice is a popular training method across many sports. Does this also work for Judo? In this episode, Shintaro and Greg discuss in depth various Judo games that can help you become a better Judoka. They talk about various aspects of the games such as how they can help you and how they have worked at Shintaro's…

Recently, many intermediate BJJ'ers are dabbling in Judo to improve their takedown game, but are they approaching it the right way? Some Judo throws can be detrimental if used incorrectly in BJJ. Is it better off for the intermediate BJJ'ers to learn wrestling? In this episode, Shintaro and Peter go in depth on how intermediate BJJ'ers should incor…

It's quite common in America for intermediate Judokas to supplement their training with BJJ. Maybe the BJJ school offers more flexible class times, or they want to improve their newaza. What is the best way for them to approach BJJ to maximize its benefits? In this episode, Shintaro and Peter discuss strategies for intermediate Judokas to effective…

The Judo community lives in the comment section! If you're doing an Uchi Mata and you hit that far leg it's actually Hane Goshi....and you'll hear about it. The comments on our videos are overwhelmingly positive, but there's always some that stick out as negative. We talk today about the commenting judo community across the internet and give our th…

Ouchi Gari is possibly the most ubiquitous and frequently used grappling technique. Why is it so popular, and how can we really take advantage of its versatility? In this episode, Shintaro and Peter go on a deep dive of Ouchi Gari to answer those questions. Join our Discord server and start chatting with us and other grapplers by supporting us on P…

When most people talk about their Judo game, they tend to focus on their favorite techniques and maybe favorite combinations around them. But Judo is more than that, and we need to be doing higher-order thinking. How is your natural athletic ability? What is your opponent's Judo game? What are the weaknesses of my Judo game? In this episode, Shinta…

Judo with its high amplitude throws is known to be one of the more dangerous grappling arts out there. Are there any "safe" Judo throws then? In this episode, Shintaro and Peter discuss this question in depth. Join our Discord server and start chatting with us and other grapplers by supporting us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/shintaro_higashi…

Judo is one of the most technical and physical sports out there, but you can't win all your Judo matches with your physical prowess and techniques. Then, what else do you need to win Judo matches? In this episode, Shintaro and Peter go in depth about the oft-overlooked side of winning Judo matches. Join our Discord server and start chatting with us…

You are a dedicated Judoka that loves everything about Judo. You train hard at your local dojo even though the facility is not great and there are not that many people to practice with. One day, you get an opportunity to drop in at a local BJJ school, and it's a completely different experience. The facility is brand new with working showers, and th…

Tai Otoshi is one of those throws that many want to learn, but is deceptively difficult to master. What makes it so popular, yet so difficult to master? In this episode, Shintaro and Peter discuss Tai Otoshi: its basic mechanics, how to practice it and many more. Join our Discord server and start chatting with us and other grapplers by supporting u…

Shintaro sits down with Jessa Khan, the gold medalist at the IBJJF World Championship 2023. They talk about her BJJ journey, and her upcoming fight with Danielle Kelly at ONE Fight Night 14 on Sep. 29, 2023. You can watch her fight on Amazon Prime, and follow her on Instagram @jessakhan. Join our Discord server and start chatting with us and other …

Shintaro recently went to Big Bear City, CA to give a seminar at a BJJ school. In this episode, he shares his experience with Greg, especially around how it was to give a seminar at a BJJ school as a Judo instructor. Join our Discord server and start chatting with us and other grapplers by supporting us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/shintaro_…

Judo places a bigger emphasis on Ashi Waza or foot techniques than other grappling arts. Yet, Ashi Waza can remain elusive to many. What is the key to integrating Ashi Waza to your game? In this episode, Shintaro and Peter discuss the primary mechanics of Ashi Waza, and how to train and integrate them into your game. Join our Discord server and sta…

Traditionally, Judo training relied almost exclusively on uchikomi, repetition training of throws, and randori, free sparring. Does this paradigm still work, or is there a more efficient way of training? In this episode, Shintaro and Peter discuss "situational training," where Judokas repeatedly drill specific situations and positions. Is it more e…

You can't always get that picture-perfect ippon throw, so it is important to know how to "finish" the throw. What does it mean to finish a throw, and how can we practice it? In this episode, Shintaro shares some of his tips in "finishing" throws. Join our Discord server and start chatting with us and other grapplers by supporting us on Patreon: htt…

Ever wonder who was behind all of the high-quality YouTube videos on Shintaro's channel? In this episode, you get to hear Greg discuss with Shintaro about his experience producing videos for Shintaro's channel. He talks about how the partnership started, how it's going and how he plans to take the channel to the next level in the future. Join our D…

In this special episode, Shintaro's cousin Eugene sits down to share his expertise as a doctor of physical therapy. He shares tips on prehab, injury prevention, proper training methodologies and many other areas! Join our Discord server and start chatting with us and other grapplers by supporting us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/shintaro_higa…

Judo places a huge emphasis on competition, but is competition for everyone? It wouldn't be an overstatement to say every Judoka has asked the question "should I compete?" at some point during their Judo journey. What'd be the best way to answer this question? In this episode, Shintaro and Peter discuss some of the factors to consider in answering …

Judo is known for its physicality, but can it also be a "thinking" game? In this episode, Shintaro and Peter discuss this "thinking" aspect of Judo and whether or not Judo can improve strategic thinking capabilities. Join our Discord server and start chatting with us and other grapplers by supporting us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/shintaro_…

The American wrestling system is known to consistently produce quality grapplers. What's the reason behind its success, and what can Judo learn from it? In this episode, Shintaro and Peter discuss their theories on why wrestling in America is so successful, drawing from their personal experiences. Join our Discord server and start chatting with us …

Tammi Musumeci is one of the most decorated BJJ competitors with multiple World Championship wins under her belt. In this episode, Tammi talks about how she started BJJ, how she's managed to keep up with both BJJ and her career as a lawyer, and her upcoming fight with Amanda 'Tubby' Alequin at ONE Fight Night 12 on July 14, 2023. Join our Discord s…

When you train Judo, it's inevitable to encounter different body types. Some of your training partners may be tall and lanky, while others may be short and stocky. The corollary is that we all have different bodies. How do we account for this during training? Do we need to adjust our techniques we use? In this episode, Shintaro and Peter go in dept…

The primary purpose of the belt system in Judo is to help beginners with their progress. Does the current belt system in Judo, especially in America, work well for the intended purpose? In this episode, Shintaro and Peter discuss the status of the current Judo belt system in America, and suggest possible enhancements to serve the community better. …

Seoi Nage is probably the most iconic throw in Judo that even a person with no experience in Judo can recognize. How did it become so iconic? Is Seoi Nage for every Judoka? How can we utilize it more effectively? In this episode, Shintaro and Peter go in depth about this iconic throw. Join our Discord server and start chatting with us and other gra…

In this week's episode, Shintaro sits down with Chris Round-- an accomplished Judoka and a PhD candidate who has a very unique, academic approach to coaching Judo. He is currently the Judo instructor at High Noon BJJ in Alexandria, VA, and you can follow him on Instagram @chris__circle. Join our Discord server and start chatting with us and other g…

Judo is said to have a very steep learning curve, which may be quite discouraging for beginners. One way to combat this is to create smaller milestones to keep track of your progression. What are some of these fundamentals you can use to keep your progression in Judo? In this episode, Shintaro and Peter go in depth about what they use to keep track…