Sensei Al Ikemoto has been involved in martial arts for about forty years. His main art, Kodokan Judo, was taught to him by his father, Teruo Ikemoto, who learned his judo in Japan.
Al Ikemoto was born on D-Day in the Tule Lake Concentration Camp in California. His father Teruo was a noted Judo competitor and teacher, and began Al’s study of Judo in the 1950’s. He has won several Judo competitions including a 1st place at the 1967 Pan Am Regional Eliminations. In 1990 & 1991, Al won 1st place in two separate Masters Division tounaments.
In addition to Judo, Al has studied Danzan-Ryu Jujutsu, Seifukujutsu, Wing Chun, Sil Lum, Tai Chi and Wrestling. Al is a certified massage therapist, trained in Seifukujitsu by Professor Sig Kufferath and Professor Tony Janovich and in Shiatsu by Sensei Jack Carter.
In 1985, he attended his first Small-Circle Jujitsu clinic under Prof. Wally Jay. Al credits this clinic with changing the direction of his martial art studies. He notes, “I tried to attend every Small Circle Jujitsu clinic I heard about. Eventually I joined Jujitsu America so that I would not miss out on any clinics. I now incorporate Small Circle Jujitsu in my Judo instruction and I teach Small Circle Jujitsu in my Criminal Justice classes at JFK High School (Sacremento).”
Al considers Janice Okamoto and Denise Wohlgemuth as his mentors in Jujutsu. In 1993, he attended the Okugi class held by Profs. Sig Kufferath and Tony Janovich. He holds a Godan in Judo and a Yodan in Jujutsu. His home dojo is Team Sacremento.
Sensei Al Ikemoto is currently a criminal justice instructor at JFK High School in Sacramento and an assistant Judo instructor for Team Sacramento. He holds the rank of Rokudan in Kodokan Judo and Godan in Danzan Ryu Jujitsu.
Team Sacramento
JFK High School
6715 Gloria Drive
Sacramento, CA 95831
(916) 433-2047
