FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE2024 San Jose Open Judo Championships to Honor the Late Yoshihiro Uchida, a Pioneer of Judo in the U.S.

San Jose, CA – The 2024 San Jose Open Judo Championships will take place on October 12th & 13th at The Plex in San Jose, CA, and will honor the legacy of the late Yoshihiro Uchida, a Judo pioneer in the United States. Uchida, who passed away in June 2024, coached Judo at San Jose State University for more than 70 years, profoundly shaping the sport both in the U.S. and internationally.

Hosted by Judo United, a San Jose-based organization dedicated to promoting Judo events and experiences, the second annual San Jose Open has quickly become one of the largest and most prestigious events on the USA Judo circuit. This year, nearly 1,000 competitors from more than 80 Judo teams across the country will compete, solidifying the event’s status as a National Point Tournament.

Judo United CEO Chuck Jefferson, a San Jose State Judo alumnus and former coach, emphasized the importance of honoring Uchida at this year’s event. "Coach Uchida's legacy will live on forever, especially here in the Bay Area, where a majority of the Judo community has a direct connection to him. Many of us are his former students or coaching staff from the SJSU Judo program," said Jefferson.

Last year’s inaugural San Jose Open made history by becoming the largest first-time Judo event in the United States, with over 800 competitors. This year’s event promises to surpass that milestone. "We’re taking the San Jose Open to the next level,” Jefferson added. “Our collaboration with the San Jose Sports Authority and Team San Jose has helped foster our relationship with The Plex in San Jose, providing a world-class venue for this event."

About The Plex - The Plex in San Jose is a premier destination for family fun, event planning, sports, dining, and parties, offering 240,000 square feet of entertainment space under one roof. This state-of-the-art facility is the perfect venue for the 2024 San Jose Open Judo Championships.

For more information, visit JudoUnited.com.

About Judo United - Founded in 2023, Judo United promotes Judo events and experiences. Based in San Jose, CA, Judo United is committed to elevating the Judo community by offering world-class tournaments, training camps, and community events.