Our Story
Sensi Joe Turchiano, 8th Dan Judo Coral Belt
At Judo Mate, we’re passionate about bringing the art of judo to everyone — anytime, anywhere. Founded by Joe Tarciano, a lifelong judoka with over 60 years of experience, Judo Mate was created to solve a simple problem: how to practice judo effectively when you don’t have a partner.
Joe studied at the renowned Kodokan in Japan for four years during his Air Force service and spent 12 years competing in national competitions, winning numerous championships. Through his decades of training and teaching, he understood that consistent practice is key to mastering judo techniques — specifically the repetitive drilling of uchi komi, or entries.
That’s where Judo Mate comes in. Designed to perfectly replicate the feel of a human body, Judo Mate allows you to practice your throws, grips, and movements with proper form — knees bent, feet positioned at a 45-degree angle, engaging your legs, hips, and upper body just like in real competition. Unlike other devices that only simulate upper-body movement, Judo Mate emphasizes full-body mechanics: lifting, twisting, and leaning — all essential for an effective throw.
We’ve made Judo Mate versatile and portable. It can be installed in a door jamb, attached to a tree, post, or fence — so you can train wherever you are. Plus, it features a real judo gi, ensuring that your grip strength and finger conditioning develop just as they would on the mat.
We believe Judo Mate is the most realistic solo training device for judo on the market. As we prepare to launch in a big way, we’re excited to share this innovation with judokas around the world — helping practitioners of all levels train better, smarter, and more effectively.
Train hard. Train smart. Train with Judo Mate.
The Founder
Sensei Joe Turchiano began his judo journey in Japan, training from May 1960 to November 1963. He studied at the world-renowned Kodokan Judo Institute in Tokyo under Professor Tadao Otaki, 9th Dan, and regularly competed in the Kodokan’s monthly Red and White tournaments.
During the famous “Winner Stays Up” contests, Sensei Turchiano earned an incredible 13 full-point victories in just seven months. He also achieved two streaks of three wins in a row, earning promotion to 2nd Dan in September 1963.
From 1962–1963, he dominated Air Force judo competition:
All Air Force Japan Champion – 160 lbs
All Air Force Far East Champion – 160 lbs (earning a trip back to the U.S.)
USAF Championship – Silver Medal, 160 lbs
Selected to join the United States Air Force Judo Team
At just 21 years old, he returned to New York as a newly minted 2nd Dan and earned a spot on the New York Judo Team.
From 1964 to 1971, Sensei Turchiano became a fixture in competition:
Metropolitan A.A.U. Champion at both 176 lbs and 205 lbs
East Coast Rank Contest Champion at 2nd, 3rd, and 4th Dan
Runner-up in the 1967 Olympic Trials (205 lbs)
From 1973 to 1980, he served as Assistant Instructor under Sensei Vince Tamura, 9th Dan, a three-time National Champion. Even in later years, Sensei Turchiano continued to compete—winning Gold at the 1980 Southwest Dallas Open in the Senior Division at age 38.
His promotions reflect a lifetime of dedication:
5th Dan Black Belt – Awarded by the U.S. Judo Federation (1980)
6th Dan Red & White Belt – USJF (April 19, 1999)
8th Dan – United States Martial Arts Association (January 1, 2009)
Over the decades, Sensei Turchiano has trained and thrown multiple national champions and is widely respected as a true technician of throwing. His legacy lives on through the Joe Turchiano Judo Dojo of Long Island and the generations of judoka he has inspired.
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