Judo, Orange County, Southern Orange County, OC, Judo Club
El Toro Judo Club has had a very long, respected and established presence in Orange County, California. Originally located at the El Toro Marine Corp Base, the club name and location was transferred to Laguna Niguel when the base was decommisioned in 1999. The name was passed to Kajita Sensei who, in honor and recognition of its history, carried the name on.  

Keith Chu (6th Dan)
Head Instructor

Keith began his judo training as a young lad in Liverpool,England. His diverse experience as a teacher and competitor provides El Toro students with high quality instruction. Keith is adynamic teacher with a fun and creative style that is a big hit with kids as well as adults.

Keith is USJF Master Gold Coach certified and his recent competitive successes include:

U.S. Senior Nationals 2009 - Masters: 1st Place

U.S. Open 2009 - Masters: 1st Place (Open Weight Division)

U.S. Senior Nationals 2014 - Masters: 1st Place

Keith is the current President of Nanka Judo Yudanshakai (Southern California Black Belt Association) a position he has held two times before, and is the former 2nd Vice President of the United States Judo Federation. He is an active participant and is a life member in both of these organizations.

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Peter Angelici (1st Dan)
Instructor

Peter, unlike our other Instructors, is a home grown success. Studying under Sensei Kajita, Peter has grown from a beginner to a solid, skilled Black Belt, with an undeniable skill for Ashi-Waza. 

Mike Crane (2nd Dan)
Instructor

Mike initially tried out Judo in 1966 while as a serving Marine in Okinawa, Japan. He trained on straw tatami and wore fireman tunics as his judogi.  Mike spends a lot of his time studying judo and is very knowledgeable on all kinds of waza.
Mike is a lifetime member of the United States Judo Federation.

Brian Carmichall (1st Dan) 
Instructor

Brian began his Judo training in Northwestern Montana. A successful junior competitor, Brian competed frequently around the Northwestern
U.S. and Canada and earned both gold and silver medals in the Junior Olympics.
Brian is a lifetime member of the United States Judo Federation. 

Joseph Kajita (9th Dan)

Sensei Joseph Kajita was the figure head of the El Toro Judo Club and a great inspiration to us all. Sadly, he passed away on May 31, 2020 at the age of 89. He held the extremely prestigious rank of ninth dan (red belt) .

Please click on this link to visit our In Memory Page for Sensei Joe.

In Memory