In this episode, Shintaro sits down with long-time judo competitor and coach, Ramon Hernandez, to discuss the evolving landscape of USA Judo. They dive into Judo politics, including the removal of Joe Ragan from the board, USA Judo elections, and the financial challenges facing the sport in the United States. Ramon shares his thoughts on the need for better support for athletes, the role of marketing in growing the sport, and the importance of bringing outside sponsorships to judo. This conversation provides an insightful look into the political and economic aspects of USA Judo and what’s needed to elevate the sport in the coming years. (00:00:00) Introduction (00:01:25) Ramon's Take on USA Judo Elections (00:05:04) USA Judo’s Acquisition of America Judo System (00:08:17) Removal of Joe Ragan from USA Judo Board (00:14:13) Importance of Athlete Support (00:19:13) Marketing Issues in Judo and Club Management