In this episode of the INSIDE USA JUDO Interview Series, host Hannah Martin speaks with Dominic Rodriguez, currently ranked No. 17 in the world in the -81kg category.

A 2 time Pan American Champion and 3 time National Champion, Dominic has quickly established himself as one of the top young athletes in American judo. Training out of the Kitsusai National Training Center, he is currently fighting for a place on the 2028 Olympic Team and continues to make his mark on the international stage.

In this interview, Dominic reflects on his journey, the mindset required to compete at the highest level, and the lessons he has learned while balancing pressure, expectations, and rapid success at a young age.

In this episode of the INSIDE USA JUDO Interview Series, host Hannah Martin speaks with Israel Hernández, 2-time Olympic bronze medalist and Head Coach of the United States Performance Center in Charlotte, North Carolina.

A highly respected figure in international judo, Israel reflects on his beginnings in Cuba, where he first stepped onto the tatami and worked his way up to become a member of the Cuban National Team. He shares insights into his competitive journey and how he won his first Olympic Bronze Media.

Now based in the United States, Israel continues leading and developing athletes as a coach. As Head Coach of the United States Performance Center, he brings a wealth of experience and a clear philosophy centered on discipline, adaptability, and building strong competitive character.

Through his story, Israel highlights the importance of mindset, resilience, and evolving within the sport, both as an athlete and as a mentor to the next generation.

To find out more about the resident program: https://www.usajudo.com/national-resident-training-center-team

Comment if you would like us to have a second interview with Israel 👇

In this episode of the INSIDE USA JUDO Interview Series, host Hannah Martin speaks with Janine Cotti, former USA Judo National Team member, two time National Champion, and 2010 Pan American Championships Silver Medalist.

A respected figure both on and off the mat, Janine reflects on her competitive career at the highest level of American judo and the lessons that shaped her as an athlete.

Now a registered dietitian, Janine has transitioned her passion for performance into helping the next generation of judoka. Working closely with athletes, she focuses on practical nutrition strategies and building a healthier, more sustainable relationship with food to support both performance and long term well being.

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In this episode of the INSIDE USA JUDO Interview Series, host Hannah Martin speaks with Daniel Liubimovski, the Junior World No. 1 and one of USA Judo’s most exciting rising stars in the 100kg category.

Hailing from Staten Island, New York, Daniel shares his journey to the top of the junior world rankings and what it means to represent the United States on the international stage. Training out of the Colton Brown Training Center, he opens up about his daily training environment, key competition experiences, and the mindset required to perform under pressure.

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In this episode of the INSIDE USA JUDO Interview Series, host Hannah Martin speaks with Johan Silot, the number one ranked athlete in -81 kg category in the United States and an Olympic hopeful for Los Angeles 2028.

Originally from Cuba, Johan shares his journey from his roots in Cuban judo to becoming a USA National Champion and earning a silver medal at the Lima Grand Prix. He opens up about mindset and what is required to compete at the highest international level while chasing the dream of qualifying for the Olympic Games.

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In this episode of the INSIDE USA JUDO Interview Series, host Hannah Martin speaks with Zoltan Bathory, founder and guitarist of Five Finger Death Punch.

From his early days as a young judoka in Hungary to selling out arenas around the world, Zoltan breaks down how judo, Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, and martial arts forged his discipline, grit, and no quit mindset. We talk judo, creativity, resilience, and how life on the tatami helped shape the artist and leader he is today.

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In this episode of the INSIDE USA JUDO Interview Series, host Hannah Martin sits down with Dr. Jean Kanokogi for an inspiring and powerful conversation. Together, they dive into the legacy of her mother, Rusty Kanokogi, the groundbreaking force behind women’s judo, and explore Jean’s book Get Up and Fight.

Jean also opens up about her own journey of resilience, her commitment to carrying Rusty’s mission forward, the evolution of women’s judo, and the impactful work of the Women’s Sports Foundation.

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In this episode of the Inside USA Judo Interview Series, host Hannah Martinsits down with Malia Manibog, one of the brightest rising stars on the tatami.

With international medals already under her belt and a reputation for fierce determination, Malia Manibog shares her journey of judo, She opens up about balancing school and judo, international travel, and reflects on what drives her to keep chasing bigger goals.

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In this episode, host Hannah Martin welcomes a true powerhouse in American judo — Heidi Moore! 🇺🇸 A 6th-dan black belt, certified athletic trainer, and 11-time Senior National medalist, Heidi has represented Team USA across the globe.

Since 1999, she’s been the driving force behind Denver Judo as Executive Director and head instructor, all while serving as coach of the U.S. Paralympic Judo Team at four consecutive Games — London, Rio, Tokyo, and Paris! 🥋🌍

We talk about Heidi’s incredible journey through the sport, what it means to build an inclusive judo community, her experience coaching at the highest level, and the lessons she’s learned on and off the tatami.

Whether you’re an athlete, coach, or judo fan, this episode is full of wisdom, leadership, and heart.

Watch now — and don’t forget to subscribe for more inspiring stories from the world of USA Judo!

In this episode, host Hannah Martin sits down with one of the USA’s most exciting young talents — Christopher Velazco, currently ranked No. 2 in the world in juniors at -60kg!

We dive into Christopher’s judo journey growing up in a judo family, what it’s like being coached by his Olympian father, his mindset heading into major international competitions, and of course — his thrilling rivalry with fellow junior standout Jonathan Yang. 🔥

Whether you’re a young judoka, a coach, or just a fan of the sport, this episode is packed with insight, inspiration, and motivation!

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