Select an athlete's page: William Nitta, Adam Thalhofer, Josiah Thalhofer, Nathanael Thalhofer,

December 17th, 2007: Belt Promotion Night.  Front row, promoted to brown belt, Noel, Eddie, Matt, and Peter.  Back row, promoted to yellow belt, Hosanna, promoted to black belt, Nathanael, Adam, Josiah, and William, promoted to brown belt, Tim, and on the right is Coach John Holm, who also celebrated his 70th birthday.

Before getting their black belts, the four candidates, Adam (top left), Josiah (top right), Nathanael (bottom left) and William (bottom right) all took a 5-second hit from a Taser delivered by a deputy who came just for the occasion.

June 2007 Coach Holm is joined at the club by two Seattle Judo Veterans, Chris Kato and Dick Yamasaki     U.S. Judo Training Center and White Center Judo members enjoyed their first Island picnic Saturday, May 7th, on Vashon Island, at the Thalhofer home, in time to celebrate Adam Thalhofer's 15th birthday.  Kneeling, l-r: Amber, Sammy, Daisy, Jessica, Tommy, Mychayla, and Christian.  Middle: Julie, Nathanael, Adam, Joshua, Jericho, and Linda.  Back: Peter, Ken, William, Tina, Josiah, Ben, Mariko, Coach Holm, and Patrick.  And on the horse--Hosanna!   Our first year at White Center Heights Elementary--lots of energy and some natural athletes.   Bellingham 02-19-05 Back Row: Nathanael Thalhofer, William Nitta, Malcolm Ford, Josiah Thalhofer, Edward Kemp, Massai Ford, Adam Thalhofer, Peter Thalhofer.  Front Row:  Marya, Abdul-Malech, Mariah, and Hajji Ford Washington State Tournament, January 22nd, 2005.  Back Row: Josiah Thalhofer, William Nitta, Nathanael Thalhofer, Adam Thalhofer, Julie Nitta, Massai Ford, Coach John Holm, Peter Thalhofer.  Middle Row: Mariah and Malcolm Ford.  Front Row: Marya, Abdul-Malech, and Hajji (Zorro) Ford.   William Nitta (1st) and sister Julie Nitta (3rd) at State 2005 Tommy Knight and Dad Ken Edward Kemp with Mom Brenda   Leilani Akiyama, Kosuke Sekiguchi, Shawn Schiller, Nathan Bilauca, Adam and Nathanael Thalhofer at Bellingham, March 13th, 2004.
Shawn Schiller In addition to judo, Shawn trains in ju-jitsu, boxing, and kick-boxing, in his quest to be an all-round no-holds-barred fighter. Shawn has also picked up a business from his Dad, Steve Schiller, as a DJ at teen dance events. So you may see Shawn fighting or dancing--he does both!
From left to right, Nathanael, Josiah, and Adam Thalhofer have been at the U.S. Judo Training Center since May of 2000. During that time, they have seen their skill and success skyrocket under Coach John Holm's instruction. Adam won the 2004 Junior U.S. Open in Florida. The Thalhofers live on Vashon Island, a rural retreat near Seattle. There are no bridges, so the island is accessible from the mainland only by air or water. They make the four-hour round trip to the U.S. Judo Training Center in Renton because it's the best judo instruction available.