08/31/2026
Two Garuda Judo Club students recently returned from an immersive week of training at the prestigious International Judo Camp in Bloomingburg, NY, bringing back a wealth of high-level technical knowledge, rigorous mat time, and unique camp memories.
**Dynamic Training and World-Class Instruction**
The camp offered a demanding daily schedule that balanced core fundamentals with elite coaching. Mornings and afternoons routinely kicked off with an unexpected favorite: acrobatic tumbling warm-ups, challenging participants with cartwheels, snap downs, somersaults, and hand walks before the judogi grips even engaged.
On the mat, students trained directly under USA Judo Head Coach Israel Hernandez, the camp’s featured guest clinician. The instructional roster was stacked with veteran expertise throughout the week, including:
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* .Leger
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**Deep Kata Immersion and High-Paced Competition**
The students split to try specialized judo disciplines. One student threw himself into the rigorous, fast-paced Competitors Track classes, the morning curriculum centered on classical fundamentals. Each day opened with 15 minutes of *Tandoku-renshu* followed by 30 minutes of *Go-no-kata* led by the legendary Ken Durand, with students working through all 10 core techniques by the week's end.
Meanwhile, the other student attended the Kata track. It ran deep into the afternoons, under the guidance of Sensei Heiko and Sensei Jeff from Rochester’s Bushido Kai Judo Club, the Garuda contingent completed an intensive 13-hour study of *Kime-no-kata*, covering all 20 self-defense techniques from the *Tori* role.
**Grand Finale and Looking Ahead**
The camp concluded on Friday with a packed schedule. Afternoon specialty sessions gave way to live demonstrations in *Kime-no-kata* and Kali (Filipino martial arts), followed by a live shiai that provided practical evaluation for the camp’s referee clinic participants. A final night of hard randori gave way to traditional camp festivities—campfires for the junior participants and pizza and drinks for the adults.
Our two students had such a great experience that they'v already secured their spots for next summer, when Olympian Angelica Delgado will headline the guest clinician roster. SEE THE REGISTRATION LINK FOR NEXT YEAR BELOW!
**Key Takeaways for Garuda Families Considering Next Year:**
* **Flexible Schedules:** Half-week options are available for those with limited time.
* **Counselor Tracks:** Adults can attend free of charge by working as camp counselors (though counselor duties conflict with afternoon specialty classes).
* **Youth Friendly:** Younger junior athletes can attend comfortably as long as an adult family member accompanies them.
Camp Registration Link and Info
https://internationaljudocamp.com/
