Practical Karate is adding new Sunday Judo classes with Vandric Castro, offering top-level grappling and real Judo training in San Diego. These classes help students improve throws, balance, takedowns, body control, conditioning, and self-defense in a friendly, structured setting. Whether you are new to martial arts or want to sharpen your skills, the Sunday program is a great chance to learn one of the world’s most respected martial arts.

The new Sunday schedule includes:

• 9:00–10:00 AM: Judo Fundamentals
• 10:00–11:00 AM: Tachi Waza

These classes show Practical Karate’s ongoing commitment to a complete martial arts education. The program blends traditional training with practical application. Practical Karate already offers striking, wrestling, boxing, MMA, and self-defense in its curriculum. Judo has always been important in the academy’s philosophy. Founded in Japan by Jigoro Kano in 1882, is much more than just throwing techniques. It is a martial art built around timing, leverage, balance, discipline, and efficiency of movement. Unlike systems that rely purely on strength or aggression, Judo teaches students how to use posture, angles, grips, and momentum to control and throw an opponent. The result is a martial art that develops both physical skill and mental composure.

The first Sunday class, Judo Fundamentals, is designed to build a strong technical foundation for students of all experience levels. Beginners will learn the essential movements and principles that make Judo safe and effective, while experienced students will have the opportunity to refine details that often determine success in live training and competition.

One of the first skills emphasized in Judo is ukemi, or break-falling. Learning to fall safely is valuable in all martial arts. Proper ukemi teaches students to protect themselves during throws, trips, takedowns, and accidents on or off the mats. Students gain movement confidence by learning to absorb force and recover quickly. For children, teens, and adults, this training improves coordination, spatial awareness, and athleticism.

The FundameThe Fundamentals class also covers grips, posture, footwork, kuzushi (off-balancing), and major throw mechanics. Instead of memorizing techniques, students learn why throws work. Understanding timing and balance lets smaller practitioners throw larger opponents efficiently. This technical focus is why Judo remains effective for sport and self-defense across generations. The Tachi Waza class focuses specifically on standing techniques and throwing applications. In Judo, “Tachi Waza” refers to standing techniques used to off-balance and throw an opponent. This is where students begin developing dynamic throwing ability through drilling, combinations, movement training, and live practice.

Many martial arts schools spend little time teaching realistic takedowns and throwing mechanics. However, controlling the clinch and dictating where a fight takes place are essential skills for self-defense, MMA, and grappling competition. Tachi Waza training develops explosiveness, balance, grip strength, and the ability to transition seamlessly from striking range into grappling exchanges.

Students in the Tachi Waza class will work on classic Judo throws, including hip throws, foot sweeps, trips, reaps, and sacrifice throws, while also learning modern gripping strategies and transitions. The class emphasizes movement, timing, and adaptability rather than static technique practice. Students learn to create opportunities through kuzushi and positioning rather than relying solely on strength.

One of the most exciting aspects of the new Sunday Judo program is the instruction from Vandric Castro. Castro brings a deep competitive background and a strong technical understanding to the mats. Originally from Guam, Vandric Castro began training in Judo at a young age and went on to compete internationally, including participation in the 2014 Youth Olympic Games in Nanjing, China. () His experience competing at a high level gives students exposure to authentic competitive Judo while still maintaining an environment that is accessible and welcoming for beginners.

Vandric Castro’s background in Judo and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu offers a modern look at grappling. He teaches transitions between standing and ground fighting. Students learn how Judo concepts apply to sport competition, MMA, self-defense, and submission grappling. Sessions are also a perfect complement to the existing programs at Practical Karate. The academy already emphasizes a practical approach to martial arts by blending Karate, boxing, wrestling, MMA, and grappling. () Judo fills a critical role in that system because it teaches students how to control distance in the clinch, execute takedowns, and remain composed during physical contact.

For striking students, Judo improves balance, footwork, and clinch control. For wrestlers and MMA students, Judo offers additional throwing options and grip-fighting strategies. For self-defense practitioners, Judo offers practical methods for controlling aggressive situations without necessarily relying on strikes. Even students focused primarily on fitness will benefit from the conditioning demands of throwing drills, grip work, and movement training.

Another major advantage of Judo training is the sense of community it creates. Judo requires cooperation between training partners. Students must learn to trust each other, train safely, and help each other improve. This creates a positive training atmosphere where discipline, respect, and humility are constantly reinforced. At Practical Karate, that supportive culture is already a major part of the academy’s identity, making the addition of Sunday Judo classes a natural fit.

The Sunday schedule also makes the program accessible for busy families, students, and working adults. Students can attend the Fundamentals class to build a strong base or stay for both classes to immerse themselves in a complete two-hour training experience. Together, the classes provide a balanced progression from foundational mechanics into dynamic throwing applications.

Martial arts training is ultimately about growth — physically, mentally, and emotionally. Judo builds resilience because students learn to fall, recover, adapt, and keep moving forward. It teaches patience because progress comes through repetition and refinement. It builds confidence because students learn to handle difficult physical situations calmly and efficiently.

The new Sunday Judo classes at Practical Karate represent more than just another program addition. They are an opportunity for students in San Diego to study authentic Judo under a highly experienced instructor while becoming part of a martial arts community focused on growth, discipline, and practical skill development.

For anyone interested in improving their grappling, learning effective throws, building athleticism, or experiencing one of the world’s great martial arts traditions, the Sunday Judo program with Vandric Castro offers an outstanding place to begin.