Al Ikemoto was born on D-Day in the Tule Lake Concentration Camp in California. His father Teruo was a noted Judo competitor and teacher, and began Al's study of Judo in the 1950's. He has won several Judo competitions including a 1st place at the 1967 Pan Am Regional Eliminations. In 1990 & 1991, Al won 1st place in two separate Masters Division tounaments.
In addition to Judo, Al has studied Danzan-Ryu Jujutsu, Seifukujutsu, Wing Chun, Sil Lum, Tai Chi and Wrestling. In 1985, he attended his first Small-Circle Jujitsu clinic under Prof. Wally Jay. Al credits this clinic with changing the direction of his martial art studies. He notes, "I tried to attend every Small Circle Jujitsu clinic I heard about. Eventually I joined Jujitsu America so that I would not miss out on any clinics. I now incorporate Small Circle Jujitsu in my Judo instruction and I teach Small Circle Jujitsu in my Criminal Justice classes at JFK High School (Sacremento)."
Al considers Janice Okamoto and Denise Wohlgemuth as his mentors in Jujutsu. In 1993, he attended the Okugi class held by Profs. Sig Kufferath and Tony Janovich. He holds a Godan in Judo and a Yodan in Jujutsu. His home dojo is Team Sacremento.
This page maintained by George Arrington.
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