SJ JUDO BJJ ACADEMY

Meet the Instructors

Instructor My Nguyen comes from a family of judo athletes and practiced judo in Vietnam. She founded San Jose Judo Academy in 2010 and currently serves as the head instructor and director. She carries more than 20 years of teaching experience with recreational and competitive judo athletes, bringing both modern and traditional training approaches to the SJJA program. She specializes in the application of methods from the IJF Judo in Schools program to first, teach the practice of judo’s moral code, and second, to provide movement education. She decomposes complex judo techniques into basic principles, and then repackages basic skills acquisition exercises into engaging games and situational drills for children and adults seeking recreational training in judo. At the age of 17 she won her first gold medal at the 1995 Asian Olympic Games in Saigon. She was issued her 4th degree black belt by USA Judo in 2020 and is certified as a national coach and referee. My also carries a blue belt in BJJ from Ralph Gracie and placed first at the BJJ Golden State Vii, as well as silver at the Golden State Vi and Pacific Cup in 2023.

Instructor Nancy Nguyen comes from a family history of judo. She began training judo at SJJA at the age of 5. Earning her 2nd degree black belt at 19. Nancy has achieved more than 14 years of experience in national and international competitive judo, having placed 3rd at the 2023 USA Senior National Championships, and defeated the 7th place finisher at the World Cadet and World Junior Championships in the women's -70kg division. Recently, Nancy placed 1st at the 2024 Podgorica Junior European Cup, marking her first international win. She is currently working towards qualification for the 2028 Olympic games in Los Angeles. Nancy is a member of the prestigious San Jose State University varsity judo team and gains competitive judo experience from training at national and international camps and programs, such as the University of Tsukuba judo program, Teikyo University in Japan, and the Israeli Women's National Team. Nancy leads the SJJA competition program. Nancy Nguyen also serves the broader judo community as an active regional referee.

Nancy juggles athletic training with academics as an undergraduate student majoring in electrical engineering at San Jose State University.

Instructor Andrew Mukai is a 2nd generation judo black belt who grew up training at Steveston Judo Club in Vancouver Canada. He earned his first black belt in 1994 and has an accomplished competitive judo record and career. In 2001 he placed 3rd in the 81 kg division at the Canadian Senior Nationals, 5th at the Pac Rim Championships in Los Angeles, and was named Judo BC Athlete of the year. In 2000, he placed second in 81kg at the Pana Nikkei Games in Sao Paulo, Brazil. In 1997, Andrew participated in the judo exchange program at Tokai University in Japan where he trained with top athletes from around the world. In 1995 and 1996 he placed second at the Canada Junior Men's Nationals. Currently, he carries a Level 2 judo coach certificate from the National Coaching Certification Program in Canada.