Torie Oishi has been in judo for over 10 years. In 2014, she passed her regional referee evaluation at the West Coast Invitational Tournament. She constantly encourages other kids to referee as she believes that it improves one’s judo and that it is important to carry on the integrity of the sport. Through her years of judo experience, Torie has matured beyond her years. She recognizes the importance of being part of the solution rather than the problem, and appreciates the sacrifice and dedication that referees give to judo.

This past summer, Torie became the 2014 USJF/JA Jr. National Champion in her division- defeating the Hawaii National Champion who was also a black belt. She was awarded the Most Outstanding Female Competitor at the tournament for her performance. In that same week in Hawaii, she also received her certifications for all 7 katas at the USJF kata conference that took place. She also enjoyed watching her dad be the uke for Noboru Saito Sensei in the Goshin Jutsu kata.

Torie and her kata partner, Thuy­Linh Turek, captured the Junior Grand Champions award at the 2014 Keiko Fukuda International Kata Championships in San Francisco. They are both sufficient in 5 complete katas and working on learning their sixth. She shares her knowledge by helping teach kata to her  peers and younger students.

Torie attended the 2014 Joshi Camp with Sensei Amarilis Savon and Sensei Eiko Shepherd in San Jose this past summer. She embraced the opportunity for female judo bonding and enjoyed experiencing the overlapping of generations and interests of judo. She was impressed with the knowledge and skill of the attendees and loved witnessing how their knowledge of kata made them so skillful in tachiwaza and newaza randoori. Torie took so much from her experience at the Joshi camp that she now encourages her fellow female judoka peers to do the same.

Torie is a great asset to Taishi practices, as she loves to help out and teach the adorable Taishi kids. When she is not busy with her academics, cross country, track, Japanese club, J’s and V’s Community Service Club, and California Scholastic Federation responsibilities, she is always on the mat, helping where she can. Torie holds a 4.5 GPA at North Torrance High School and is currently working on her Gold Award as a Girl Scout. The Gold Award is an equivalent to the Boy Scout’s Eagle Scout award. It is the highest award that a girl scout can achieve.

Judo has been the foundation for Torie’s many achievements, as it has given her the strength and focus to accomplish anything she puts her mind to. She credits her family, friends, and her Taishi Judo Club family for all of the support that they have given to her over the years.  She appreciates ALL of the judo senseis, coaches, and referees that has helped her over the years. As with all developing juokas, she has faced many instances of juggling the balance of overwhelming responsibilities and competing and learning under pressure. Her deep desire to do her best and not let down all of the people who have put their faith and knowledge in her has led her to many tears of frustrations.  Judo has taught her to fight through those tears, to never give up, and to become the absolute best version of herself. Keep working hard, Torie! Your TJC Family is proud and thankful for being a great representation of our dojo.