Born: 1943 in Okayama, Japan
Trained: Okayama, Tokyo and Kanagawa
Record:
• 1965 All Japan National Team Tournament
(Represented Kanagawa)
• 1968 US Senior Nationals 176 lbs - 2nd
• 1970 SPAAV - Open Class - 1st place
• Grand Champion - 1st place
Taught:
• Daijuken 1967-1969 • Venice 1967-1974 • Gardena
YMCA 1967-1978
• Norwalk 1975-Present
(Note from the Editor: A trait seen
in many accomplished judo players is
humbleness, a virtue of the person’s character
and so is it with Fukuma Sensei. The information
in the article was collected over the years,
with input from different senseis’ and
involved much digging, prying and coaxing
from Fukuma Sensei.)
The head sensei of Norwalk Judo Dojo comes
from a family rich in the heritage of judo.
Masao Fukuma’s family owns a private
dojo called Kobukan in Okayama, Japan which
was started by his Grandfather. His Grandfather
was originally schooled in jujitsu and later
transitioned to judo. Sensei’s youngest
brother is now the head sensei at the school.
Fukuma Sensei has 5 brothers, all black belts,
with the lowest degree being a 3rd degree.
Fukuma Sensei started judo around the age
of 5 or 6, his first thought of judo was
that “I did not like judo.” He
continued through junior high school and
high school. During his junior high school
years, he started to enjoy judo. In high
school he trained six days a week, with tournaments
on Sunday.
After high school he was sent to train at
Asashi Dojo in Yokohama which was one of
the two power houses in Yokohama and in Japan.
Asashi Sensei coached Okano in the 1964 Olympics.
Their rival dojo in near by Yokosuka produced
champions such as Inokuma and Takahashi.
In 1965, Fukuma Sensei represented the Kanagawa
prefecture in the prestigious All Japan Team
Championship. In this tournament he defeated
Takahashi. Takahashi was never able to defeat
Fukuma as a later rematch ended in a draw.
At a Kohaku (compete until you lose) tournament,
in the ni-dan category, Fukuma Sensei defeated
12 straight opponents.
In 1967, at the age of 24, Fukuma Sensei
immigrated to the United States. In the 1968,
at the South Pacific AAU (SPAAU) tournament
he placed 2nd and in the 1970 SPAAU, he was
Grand Champion. In the early days of judo
there was a Grand Champion classification.
The individual weight category champions
then had matches to determine the Grand Champion.
Fukuma Sensei is known for his left hand
uchimata, tai-otoshi and ashibarai (footwork). |
