Midway Judo Club of West St. Paul

Midway Judo Club of West St. Paul is a martial arts school in West St. Paul, Minnesota, dedicated to teaching traditional Kodokan Judo. The club welcomes members of all ages and skill levels, including families who train together. Classes are offered for beginners, seniors, and those seeking fitness or competition. The club is a non-profit organization registered with USA Judo, the national governing body for Judo in the United States. It has served the community since 1958 and emphasizes discipline, physical conditioning, and the principles of maximum efficiency with minimum effort.

The club’s instructors are certified black belts with decades of experience, including Sensei Cary Yamanaka and Gary Berquist, both holding sixth-degree black belts. Other instructors include Don Pierce, Brad Yamanaka, Jarrod Yamanaka, Jay Shin, Sheilah Seaberg, Tony Ford, Tim Stahr, Frank Bart, Andrew Grahn, Timothy Trembulak, and David Leventhal, who is remembered through a tribute on the club’s website. The club’s training is rooted in the historical development of Judo, tracing its origins to Professor Jigoro Kano in 1882 and its evolution into an Olympic sport in 1960. Judo techniques focus on throws, grappling, strangles, and joint locks, with matches lasting four continuous minutes.

Midway Judo Club is located at 1068 South Robert Street, situated just a short distance from Emerson Park and Oakdale Park, both within a half-mile radius. The club lies near South Robert Clinic and is within a quarter-mile of West St. Paul’s central monument. It is also a short drive from St. Croix Lutheran High School (WELS), located about 0.6 miles away.

The club holds a perfect 5.00 rating based on customer reviews, reflecting strong community trust and satisfaction. It is recognized for its long-standing commitment to traditional Judo and its inclusive environment for all ages and experience levels. As a cornerstone of martial arts in West St. Paul, Midway Judo Club continues to uphold the values of discipline, respect, and lifelong learning.