Kokushi Midwest Judo

I've been to two amazing clinics at Kokushi Midwest Judo. Grace is very welcoming and extremely knowledgeable. If I lived in the area this would be my dojo. Looking forward to more clinics and visits for sure!

(University of Illinois students there's nothing better than Judo to get through any of your toughest semesters! It worked for me when I was in grad school. You'll be focused for school and Grace just might turn you into a national champ!)

Grace is a wonderful instructor and amazing judoka. Very knowledgeable and keeps up with her certification. One of the best for for in the Midwest.

Kokushi Midwest Judo is a great place to learn Judo for any level. I am a beginner at 34 years old, and love every class I've been/go to. The classes are diverse, friendly, and everyone smiles all the time. It's a welcoming environment where the sensei's give excellent instruction to improve your technique, while being safe and taking care of one another. I plan to stick around for a long time.

I love everything about this place. Have been going for over a year now. Started Judo at age 32 as a white belt, with no prior martial arts experience. Everyone has been really kind and supportive and helpful. I've made a lot of friends and learned a lot, and I feel excited to eventually compete.

Judo is empowering, fun, and amazing for the body and mind. I have ADHD and also really bad motor skills and balance in real life (like, I didn't learn how to ride a bicycle until I was in my 20s), and I have been so surprised and thrilled by (1) how quiet my mind gets when I am at Judo (I always thought the mind going quiet was just a metaphor), and (2) just how well I can learn to stay balanced and execute lots of really cool throws, even intuitively after a while, if I practice a lot and am patient. It is really special.

This place is also legit. Aside from the great people, the facility is also great. Like I've visited dojos in Chicago, Boston, and even Australia at this point, and this gem in Champaign is big and has really nice mats that are always very clean. Grace also manages to bring in lots of amazing judoka from around the world for clinics, and we are always learning new things.

Probably my favorite gem in all of Champaign.

Kokushi Midwest Judo is a super great dojo with a great sensei (teacher), great sprung mats, and an amazing environment. 100% recommend Kokushi Midwest Judo.

Best dojo within 150 miles - regardless of style. A great, caring and skilled sensei; wonderful, helpful group of fellow students. It just doesn’t get better than this.

Whether you are just a recreational or competitive judo player, you are always an important part of the club!

My son absolutely loved his time in class. Grace is an amazing instructor, she made sure the classes where fun but challenging. I enjoyed watching the children as they learned. There was never a dull moment. When I asked my son what he would say about his judo classes he said "I would say they were the best."

When my daughter attended in first class, she was so nervous that couldn't step on the mat. But she wanted to try the next time. Because the other children of dojo looked so happy to play with falling, running, and crawling.
Since then judo became my daughter's favorite activity. My husband, my son, and I did judo for months. Even we didn't learn many skills, judo is really a good sport, an activity for the family. I think children can exercise while just playing.
Grace always comes with great ideas to play with children. It becomes judo training as well. Rolling and falling are natural movement for children. As they do more these, they are not afraid of those.
Every class, children face losing or winning. They don't care of the result anymore, just enjoy the fun time.
My daughter became more confident now. She is full of energy of school works and going outside under the cold weather. I appreciate Grace open her dojo near me.

I went here for 3 years. At some points it was hard but at other points it was so much fun over the years.

Kokushi Midewest Judo provided a positive and active learning environment where my son felt free to be himself while also getting a feel for respect and awareness for others and his teacher. We have recently moved and had to leave the class but would definitely join right back in if we ever moved back and would also highly recommend this class to any child in the area.

I love this dojo and it's very fun and energetic energy every where. This dojo has very supportive people.

Grace is a competent trainer. When I got there I received a warm welcome. It is so cool how she cares about all her students no matter what level they are on. She enabled me to take part in tournaments. I can recommend checking it out.

I trained at this dojo for almost 2 years when I lived in Champaign, and it was of the best training experiences I've had in my martial arts career. Classes were well-run and a lot of fun, and I always got a great workout during practice. Plus, there are sprung floors. This is a top-notch facility with a seasoned, professional coach/sensei. Highly recommended.

I miss this dojo! Everyone here really makes you feel welcome, and it's a great choice to learn Judo. Grace does an amazing job, and the brand-new facilities are excellent. I no longer live in the area but I'll be coming back to visit any time I get a chance.

Good judojo! Very clean and professional!

This is an outstanding school. People of all ages are welcomed. The instructor is a 2nd degree black belt who is very friendly, knowledgeable, and caring. The school is a safe (wonderful mats) and clean environment.

Excellent & experienced coach, training partners of all sizes and skill levels, and a top notch facility.
Enjoyed my time there and hope to come back soon.

Great Judo instruction and a beautiful facility to train in.

Great dojo with friendly and knowledgeable people.