In 1970, Mitchell Kawasaki took over the reins as chief instructor of one of Canada’s premier Judo schools: the Rendokan Judo Academy, when his father passed away.

Mitchell began Judo at the age of five. He’s currently ranked shichidan (7th degree black belt). He has held numerous positions within Judo’s governing bodies, including Vice-President of Judo Ontario, technical director for Judo Ontario, Ontario Provincial Black Belt Grading Board, and National Black Belt Grading Board. Mitchell has held the position of Head Coach for the Ontario Judo team, and he has also been a headline instructor at Camp Olympia.

Sensei Kawasaki has held numerous Canadian championship titles, not only in Judo, but also in freestyle wrestling, Greco-Roman wrestling and gymnastics; all talents which he employs while instructing judo. Mitchell also competed in the 1976 Montreal Olympics in Greco-Roman wrestling.

In the year 2000, he was awarded Coach of the Year, (he coached both the female and male athlete of the year for the same year).
His educational background includes an honours B.P.H.E. degree from Lakehead University and N.C.C.P level 3 coaching certification.

Recognized as one of the leading Canadian Training Centres, Kawasaki Rendokan Dojo was also instrumental in bringing the 1993 World Judo Championships to Hamilton’s Copps Coliseum.