Cahill's Judo Academy

began his martial arts education under his father ( standing in photo ), Professor John Cahill Sr., who founded Cahill's Judo Academy in Daly City, California, in 1948. Professor Cahill was one of the most highly respected instructors ever to come out of Professor Henry S. Okazaki's ( shown seated ) Kodenkan System of Jujitsu in Hawaii. In 1962, Professor Cahill passed away at a very young 50 years of age. In 1963, Willy built the new dojo in San Bruno, California, in his father's honor. At this club, Cahill set new standards and goals for himself and his students. In 1970, students from this dojo won the first of nine consecutive California State Judo Championships and the first of five consecutive United States Judo Association National Championships. Willy Cahill has coached nearly 1000 National and International medal winners. His Elite Athletes have represented the United States at numerous international events. While he was judo coach at both San Francisco State and Stanford University, the women's judo team at San Francisco State won the Collegiate National Championships. In addition to the consecutive State and National Team Championships, several of Cahill's students have achieved individual success. This began in 1967 when George Golda won a bronze medal at the U.S. Junior National Championships in Miami. In 1968, Golda won a silver medal in Long Beach, and in 1969 he won a gold medal in Denver. He thus became the first student from Cahill's Judo Academy to win a National Championship. Two years later, in 1971, Cahill's baby - sitter Devi Nelson became his first senior National Champion, winning a gold medal in Los Angeles.