Sam Lingle
Hesnor Herrera
Hesnor Herrera
Shodan
Sensei Sam is a cofounder of Bakersfield Kodokan Judo Club and had been practicing judo since 2008. Sam proudly began training judo under Sensei George Tatsuno and Lou Hernandez at Doryoku Judo Dojo with his family until both Sensei Lou, and Sensei Tatsuno's passing in 2015. Sensei Sam has also been a long time student of Sensei D
Shodan
Sensei Sam is a cofounder of Bakersfield Kodokan Judo Club and had been practicing judo since 2008. Sam proudly began training judo under Sensei George Tatsuno and Lou Hernandez at Doryoku Judo Dojo with his family until both Sensei Lou, and Sensei Tatsuno's passing in 2015. Sensei Sam has also been a long time student of Sensei Daniel Camarillo, and was proudly awarded the rank of shodan by Sensei Dan Camarillo in 2026. Sams goals are to honor the judo legacy of those who paved the way before us by keeping judo active in the Bakersfield community,
Hesnor Herrera
Hesnor Herrera
Hesnor Herrera
Shodan
Sensei Hesnor, is a cofounder of Bakersfield Kodokan Judo Club. Sensei Hesnor began his judo journey in 1989 at Stonehurst Judo Club in Los Angles, under The Tinaza family; Sensei Ray Tinaza, Sensei Robert Tinaza, and Sensei Jon Tinaza. After decades of dedication to the art, he earned his shodan in June 2024 from Ray Tinaza. Sense
Shodan
Sensei Hesnor, is a cofounder of Bakersfield Kodokan Judo Club. Sensei Hesnor began his judo journey in 1989 at Stonehurst Judo Club in Los Angles, under The Tinaza family; Sensei Ray Tinaza, Sensei Robert Tinaza, and Sensei Jon Tinaza. After decades of dedication to the art, he earned his shodan in June 2024 from Ray Tinaza. Sensei Hesnor continues to train with the Tinaza family at the Simi Valley Dojo, preserving the Tinaza lineage while helping strengthen Bakersfields local judo community. Sensei Hesnor is committed to sharing judo as a lifelong path of growth, respect, and personal development.
Brad Taylor
Hesnor Herrera
Zach Proofer
Shodan
Sensei Brad, is Bakersfield Kodokan Judo Clubs advanced competition coach. Sensei Brad has been a long time martial artist and judo practitioner. Brad began his judo training at Bakersfield Judo Club. Brad assisted Sensei Gustavo in starting Gerifalte judo, and had earned his shodan from competition. Brad is also an avid jiu jitsu
Shodan
Sensei Brad, is Bakersfield Kodokan Judo Clubs advanced competition coach. Sensei Brad has been a long time martial artist and judo practitioner. Brad began his judo training at Bakersfield Judo Club. Brad assisted Sensei Gustavo in starting Gerifalte judo, and had earned his shodan from competition. Brad is also an avid jiu jitsu practitioner, pursuing his black belt. Brads passion for judo and jiu jitsu reflects itself in his teachings. Brad has been an integral asset to the start of BK Judo and the students competitive training. Brads goals are to help judokas achieve their goals,
Zach Proofer
Ricardo Sanchez
Zach Proofer
Shodan
Ricardo Sanchez
Ricardo Sanchez
Ricardo Sanchez
Nidan
Ricardo Sánchez is a Nidan (2nd Dan) Judo coach with a lifelong passion for the sport. He began practicing judo at the age of 12 and developed his skills through years of dedicated training and competition. He was a member of the Chilean National Judo Team for four years and became National Champion in the -72 kg division. Throughou
Nidan
Ricardo Sánchez is a Nidan (2nd Dan) Judo coach with a lifelong passion for the sport. He began practicing judo at the age of 12 and developed his skills through years of dedicated training and competition. He was a member of the Chilean National Judo Team for four years and became National Champion in the -72 kg division. Throughout his international career, his professional work allowed him to continue practicing and expanding his judo experience in France and later at the Bakersfield Judo Club in California. Today, Ricardo is committed to sharing the values of judo—respect, discipline, perseverance, and continuous improvement—with students of all ages and skill levels.
Jason Akerman
Ricardo Sanchez
Ricardo Sanchez
Shodan
Jason started his Judo journey at Tenri Judo in Los Angeles while attending Cal State Los Angeles. Jason earned his brown belt at Tenri Judo. Originally coming from a Jiu Jitsu background, Jason continued training Jiu Jitsu when he moved to Bakersfield and eventually landed at Camarillo Jiu Jitsu where he continued to practice Judo
Shodan
Jason started his Judo journey at Tenri Judo in Los Angeles while attending Cal State Los Angeles. Jason earned his brown belt at Tenri Judo. Originally coming from a Jiu Jitsu background, Jason continued training Jiu Jitsu when he moved to Bakersfield and eventually landed at Camarillo Jiu Jitsu where he continued to practice Judo with Daniel Camarillo. Jason received his Shodan from Daniel Camarillo in February of 2026.
Our Instructors & Your Wellbeing
The safety of all our students is the most important priority at our club, All Bakersfield Kodokan Judo Club instructors are fully vetted with a criminal background check, undergoes the U.S. Center of Safe Sports initiatives, policies, and programs, primarily aimed at preventing and addressing misconduct like emotional, physical, and sexual abuse, bullying, and hazing within the sports community, especially in the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Movement, to ensure athletes of all ages have a safe, respectful environment. It involves education, reporting mechanisms, and enforcing accountability for all participants, from athletes and coaches to parents and organizations. All coaches also undergo the U.S. CDC "Heads Up" training program, a comprehensive initiative providing education, training, and resources for coaches, to recognize, prevent, and manage concussions and other traumatic brain injuries (TBIs).
Your path to Olympic Gold
Bakersfield Kodokan Judo Club is a proud member and judo training facility under USA Judo. USA Judo is the National Governing Body (NGB) and member of the US Olympic & Paralympic Committee. USA Judo enables all United States athletes a pathway to achieve sustained competitive excellence in domestic and international judo competition, and the promotion and growth of the sport of Judo in the United States. multiple national and international champions, and USA Judo continues to build their legacy of excellence every day.
Why Judo?
1. Practical Safety (The "Injury Insurance")
Judo teaches you how to fall. For adults, this is the most practical skill you can learn. You’ll train your brain and body to react instinctively to slips and trips, turning a potential hospital visit into a simple roll.
2. Dominant Stand-Up Skills
If you do BJJ or MMA, your game is incomplete without Judo. You will learn how to stay on your feet while forcing your opponent to the ground. Stop pulling guard and start taking control of the fight from the first second.
3. Explosive Full-Body Power
Judo is high-intensity interval training (HIIT) with a purpose. It builds incredible "functional strength"—specifically in your grip, core, and hips—that you simply cannot get from lifting weights alone.
4. The "Leverage" Advantage
Judo is designed for a smaller person to defeat a larger one. You’ll learn how to use an opponent’s weight and momentum to your advantage, making it the perfect martial art for those who want to win using technique rather than raw size.
5. Mental Toughness & Stress Relief
A 15-minute Judo session is more mentally engaging than an hour on a treadmill. It forces you to solve problems under pressure, clearing your head of work stress and building a "calm-under-fire" mindset.
6. Superior Balance and Coordination
Judo makes you an "unshakeable" athlete. By learning to manage your center of gravity while someone is actively trying to throw you, you develop balance and agility that carries over into every other sport.
7. Efficiency in Combat
Judo is fast. While other arts might take minutes to find a submission, a Judo throw can end a confrontation in seconds. It is the most efficient way to neutralize a threat and maintain a dominant position.
Martial, Sport, or Cross Training
Master the art of the throw with Judo—the Olympic sport that combines explosive fitness with elite stand-up grappling. Whether you're cross-training to sharpen your ground game or looking for a high-intensity workout, Judo builds the functional strength and balance to dominate any match.
