Shukutoku University Judo Team Conducts Technical Exchange at High Noon Judo

Alexandria, VA — High Noon Judo recently hosted two athletes, Wada Izumi and Inoue Sakura, along with Sensei Nose Eigo from Shukutoku University, for a two week technical exchange focused on training methodology, athlete development, and modern coaching systems.

The visit was structured as a true exchange. Wada and Inoue trained inside High Noon’s daily practice environment. Coach Nose led instructional sessions introducing Japanese technical approaches and practice structures, while High Noon coaches demonstrated their training design model, creating a two way exchange of ideas and methods. The result was collaborative learning that covered both technique and pedagogy. The exchange was designed as a peer collaboration between coaching staffs, with shared instruction, joint problem solving, and open dialogue around training philosophy.

Following the visit, Sensei Nose reflected publicly:

“The most real thing I realized when I came to America was to have my own answer. In this club team, most of the practice is always presenting challenges. The head coach does not give an answer to the players. Through this experience, it was an opportunity to review coaching and practice menus in Japan again.”

He also noted that the experience offered “a time that could change the students’ outlook on life,” emphasizing the developmental nature of the exchange.

Sensei Nose Eigo with his students and junior world team member Chloe Williams

Izumi and Sakura helped many of High Noon’s junior athletes ahead of the US Open including Paige Han and Viktoria Evodkimov.

Sessions included constraints led training design, problem based practice environments, mixed group development strategies, and athlete decision making frameworks. Classroom discussion accompanied mat sessions, allowing both programs to compare training structures and long term athlete development approaches. The exchange also included structured exposure to constraints led training design in judo, with discussion around how challenge based practice environments shape athlete decision making, adaptability, and long term development.

During the second week, the exchange expanded into a formal training camp environment that included a clinic led by John Jayne, 2024 U.S. Olympian. This portion of the visit exposed the Shukutoku athletes to a high performance American competition perspective while continuing the collaborative dialogue around training structure, technical application, and athlete development pathways. The combination of methodological exchange and elite competitive insight made the two week visit both pedagogical and performance focused.

Sakura working on a kata guruma variation with Junior World Team member Chloe Williams

“This was not a camp. It was professional dialogue through training,” said Dr. Christopher Round, Head Coach of High Noon Judo. “Japanese judo has shaped the global standard for decades. For coaches from two different training cultures to work side by side and share methods shows how judo continues to evolve through collaboration.”

Sensei Chris Round and Sensei Nose Eigo getting ready to lead a class on newaza

For High Noon Judo, the exchange represents a step toward deeper international collaboration centered on coaching structure and learning design, not just competition results. The program integrates mixed ages, genders, and experience levels into structured environments built to develop tactical adaptability and independent problem solving.

High Noon Judo will continue pursuing international exchanges that advance athlete development, coaching education, and collaborative technical growth.

About High Noon Judo

High Noon Judo is a Virginia based program focused on long term athlete development, constraints led training methods, and Olympic pathway preparation. The program supports athletes at youth, senior, and international levels and works to modernize American judo pedagogy through evidence informed coaching systems.

Media Contact

Christopher Round, PhD
Head Coach, High Noon Judo
roundce@martialartsforsocialgood.org
978-654-8310
highnoonbjj.com