Welcome to Judo
Judo Sports Long Island is a USA Judo chartered academy offering a range of training opportunities for all grappling art athletes. Our primary goal is to give practitioners a diverse set of skills, enabling them to excel in Judo at their highest capacity.
Instructors
Edwin Matos - Head Instructor
Edwin holds the rank of 2nd-degree black belt from both the United States Judo Federation and Kodokan Judo. He achieved his rank under Thomas Dalvano, whose lineage can be traced back to Higashi Sr., Aida, and ultimately Kano, the founder of Judo. Current certifications include USA Judo Coach, CDC HEADS UP, First Aid/CPR, and SafeSport.
Competitive Achievements (Individual)
2026 Veterans Open New York City Champion
-100 kg, M3 Division
2025 New York State Champion
-100 kg, Masters Division
Coaching Achievements (JSLI Team)
2026 Veterans Open New York City
4th place of 58 teams
2025 New York State Championships
10th place of 36 teams
1882
Kano Jigoro
Founder
Kanō Jigorō was a Japanese educator and athlete who synthesized various Jujitsu styles to create Judo in 1882.
1920
Hikoichi Aida
8th Dan
One of Kano’s top students, Hikoichi Aida, helped spread judo internationally and later developed a number of talented students in Japan, including Nobuyoshi Higashi.
1963
Nobuyoshi Higashi
Club Founder & 9th Dan
A highly respected figure whose contributions to judo instruction and education influenced countless practitioners throughout the United States. Under his leadership, the dojo was established as a cornerstone of the local martial arts community — helping generations of students develop confidence, character, and skill through the practice of judo.
Second era – 2023
Thomas Dalvano
5th Dan
A student of Higashi, Thomas carried on the dojo's long-standing tradition of quality instruction, mentorship, and community involvement. He led the dojo until 2023, helping students of all ages achieve their goals both on and off the mat.
2023 — Present
Edwin Matos
2nd Dan
Building on the foundation established by Higashi, and Dalvano, Edwin continues the mission of providing a welcoming environment where students can learn judo, develop strong character, and become part of a tradition more than 60 years in the making.
Our Heritage
What we are doing
