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Judo Competition (Shiai) Training

Shiai is judo's word for competition, and a competition program is the tournament side of a club: a structured path for members who want to test their judo on the mat, usually with extra sessions, sharper randori, and a coach guiding each athlete's development and event schedule. Joining one is a real commitment and entirely optional — most judoka never compete, and a competition squad's existence is simply a sign of a club with serious coaching and depth. In shiai you score by throwing cleanly for ippon, by pinning, or by forcing a submission on the ground, all under standard rules. It suits dedicated trainees drawn to competition and the discipline it demands. Expect higher intensity, expect an earned place on the squad, and — if competing is a someday goal — expect to spend time in regular classes building your base first. The 377 dojos below offer competition (shiai) training — use the map to find the closest one, or browse by state.

Want the full picture first? Read Olympic judo explained — how shiai is scored and what competition looks like.

Program labels come from each dojo's own website and members' reviews; class schedules and formats change, so check the dojo's timetable before you go.

Top-rated dojos for competition (shiai) training

Ranked by local reputation — rating weighted by review count.

Sort 12 dojos

Broadway Jiu-Jitsu and Fitness

4.9 ★★★★★ 570 reviews

36 W Broadway, Boston, MA

🥋 Free trial / intro class — check their site

Judo dojo Free trial Beginners welcome Kids & teens Private lessons Competition expert, high-level coachingwelcoming to beginnersrespectful, no-ego dojo

Nashville MMA Training Camp

4.9 ★★★★★ 549 reviews

1504 Elm Hill Pike, Nashville, TN

🥋 Free trial / intro class — check their site

Judo dojo Free trial Beginners welcome Kids & teens Private lessons Competition expert, high-level coachingwelcoming to beginnersrespectful, no-ego dojo

Memphis Judo Jiu Jitsu

4.9 ★★★★★ 504 reviews

7859 US-64 Ste 102, Memphis, TN

🥋 Free trial / intro class — check their site

Judo dojo Free trial Beginners welcome Kids & teens Newaza Competition Affiliated expert, high-level coachingwelcoming to beginnersrespectful, no-ego dojo

Team Randori Martial Arts

4.9 ★★★★★ 256 reviews

1989 West St, Annapolis, MD

Memberships around $200/mo

Judo dojo Beginners welcome Kids & teens Competition Affiliated welcoming to beginnersrespectful, no-ego dojostrong technique & fundamentals

Gracie Barra Boca Raton Jiu Jitsu & Self Defense

4.8 ★★★★★ 260 reviews

1141 S Rogers Cir #1, Boca Raton, FL

🥋 Free trial / intro class — check their site

Ages 3–15

Judo dojo Free trial Beginners welcome Kids & teens Competition Affiliated welcoming to beginnersrespectful, no-ego dojostrong technique & fundamentals

Quintella MMA

5 ★★★★★ 246 reviews

412 MacDade Boulevard, Milmont Park, PA

🥋 Free trial / intro class — check their site

Judo dojo Free trial Beginners welcome Kids & teens Competition expert, high-level coachingwelcoming to beginnersrespectful, no-ego dojo

Family-friendly MMA academy offering martial-arts classes like muay thai boxing, judo and BJJ.

Legacy Martial Arts Academy

5 ★★★★★ 222 reviews

835 NW Washington Blvd, Hamilton, OH

Judo dojo Kids & teens Private lessons Competition Affiliated expert, high-level coachingwelcoming to beginnersrespectful, no-ego dojo

Revolution Dojo Houston

4.9 ★★★★★ 216 reviews

319 St Emanuel St, Houston, TX

🥋 Free trial / intro class — check their site

Memberships around $300/mo Ages 4+

Judo dojo Free trial Beginners welcome Kids & teens Competition Affiliated expert, high-level coachingwelcoming to beginnersrespectful, no-ego dojo

Gym offering martial arts, Brazilian jiu-jitsu and Muay Thai boxing instruction.

Supermaster Kim Taekwondo & Judo

5 ★★★★★ 203 reviews

4335 Bethelview Rd Ste 112, Cumming, GA

Ages 5–12

Judo dojo Beginners welcome Kids & teens Competition welcoming to beginnersrespectful, no-ego dojostrong technique & fundamentals

Viper Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu | Judo MMA Fitness

4.9 ★★★★★ 205 reviews

9500 Ray White Rd #120, Keller, TX

🥋 Free trial / intro class — check their site

Ages 4–16

Judo dojo Free trial Beginners welcome Kids & teens Competition expert, high-level coachingwelcoming to beginnersrespectful, no-ego dojo

Hawaii Judo Academy

5 ★★★★★ 199 reviews

99-850 Iwaena St, Aiea, HI

🥋 Free trial / intro class — check their site

Ages 5–8

Judo dojo Free trial Beginners welcome Kids & teens Competition expert, high-level coachingwelcoming to beginnersrespectful, no-ego dojo

Team Tooke Mixed Martial Arts

4.9 ★★★★★ 188 reviews

10111 Grant Rd Ste R, Houston, TX

Judo dojo Beginners welcome Kids & teens Competition expert, high-level coachingwelcoming to beginnersrespectful, no-ego dojo

What members say about competition (shiai)

“Whether you want to learn self-defense, compete, or simply get a great workout, everyone is welcome and trained by world-class coaches.”

— review of Broadway Jiu-Jitsu and Fitness, Boston, MA
“The organization, quality of instruction, variety of training disciplines, and facilities are perfect for all levels of hobbyists or competitors.”

— review of Memphis Judo Jiu Jitsu, Memphis, TN
“I arrived early enough to catch the kids’ comp class—the kids had amazing technique, which also says a lot about a school.”

— review of Team Randori Martial Arts, Annapolis, MD
“We were looking for strong competition training, real structure, solid belt progression, and a culture that would help him grow both on and off the mat.”

— review of Gracie Barra Boca Raton Jiu Jitsu & Self Defense, Boca Raton, FL

Quotes are drawn from members' public Google reviews and reflect one person's experience — not a guarantee of any class today.

Judo Competition (Shiai) Training

Top-rated dojos for competition (shiai) training

What members say about competition (shiai)

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