Judo in Detroit: Saito Noburu Sensei

**FourT6and2** · Posted On: 8/30/2011 7:16am

Whoops, typo in his name. Should be Noboru.

Just moved to Detroit and searching for a Judo Club. I found one close to where I live, at the Birmingham YMCA. It's run by Noburu Satio Sensei. Was just wondering if anybody knew anything about him and if it's a good place to train?

Someone I ran into said he was an Olympic coach or ref or something. I found his website, where he says he's a 6th Dan in "Hakuryu Karate" and 7th Dan Judo.

I'm not sure what Hakuryu Karate is, though. I know what Hakko ryu Jujutsu is. But most links on Hako ryu Karate bring me to Saito's website. So I'm thinking it's some derivative form of Karate from Wado ryu or Shotokan or something.

In any event, I'm going to head out tonight to watch a class.

Thanks.

**NeilG** · Posted On: 8/30/2011 10:37am

His website is out of date, he was promoted to hachidan a few years ago. Saito is the man in Detroit by all accounts. I have no idea about the karate grade, but as he is the real deal in judo I can't imagine that he would fake his karate credentials.

BTW every thread I found on judoforum inquiring about Saito-sensei had real short replies, all to the effect of "stop looking, if you are anywhere close to Detroit go train with him"

**FourT6and2** · Posted On: 8/30/2011 9:37pm

Thanks. :)

Went to watch his class tonight. Mostly younger kids in their early teens. A few senior students were there, though. I'm gonna give it a go. To their credit, they (the kids) were all very good.

**BKR** · Posted On: 9/05/2011 7:24pm

Mr. Saito is superb, you should attend his classes. He is an IJF A referee who has reffed at Olympics and WC, is an expert on judo kata, the list goes on and on.
I think he is also a dan grade in some form of karate as well.

He's the real deal.

**3moose1** · Posted On: 9/05/2011 8:38pm

wtf? This dude is in detroit? Don't be stingy, bro, share that shizz.

**BKR** · Posted On: 9/05/2011 9:11pm

Originally Posted by 3moose1

wtf? This dude is in detroit? Don't be stingy, bro, share that shizz.

He's a very well known judoka in the US. Google his name I'm sure you can find contact information.

**FourT6and2** · Posted On: 9/05/2011 10:20pm

Originally Posted by 3moose1

wtf? This dude is in detroit? Don't be stingy, bro, share that shizz.

Read my original post. I clearly said where he teaches (Birmingham YMCA).

I'll be attending his class, beginning in a week or so. Just as soon as my gi arrives. I just moved here and I'm basically living out of a suitcase at the moment.

Also, holy **** bro. 10,000 posts?