College Park Judo Club
Family tradition and the martial art judo go hand-in-hand for twin brothers Kurt and Karl Tamai, founders of the College Park Judo Club.
The two are among the nonprofit club’s volunteer instructors, or senseis, who lead its twice-weekly practices at the College Park Community Center.
“It’s a fantastic thing to be working with your twin brother,” Kurt Tamai said. “Lots of people helped me become the person that I am, and so I get the chance to help other people grow themselves.”
Judo participants learn discipline and respect while staying fit, Kurt Tamai said, and he estimates that more than 1,000 athletes of varying ages and skill levels have taken part since the program began in 2000. Many participants have been students or alumni from this university, Karl Tamai said.
“It’s a fun club,” Karl Tamai said. “We’ve got a lot of people smiling and having a good time.”
The duo grew up in Landover with four siblings and learned judo at a club their father started. The six Tamai siblings went on to achieve black belts in the sport.
The twins were also successful wrestlers in high school and college and have competed on a national and international level in judo.
Now in adulthood, the twins help organize an annual tournament to honor their late father and plan the judo state championship tournament at Ritchie Coliseum.
Kurt, of Elkridge, works as an engineer, while Karl, of Alexandria, Virginia, works for the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. Both are married with children, who are active in the sport as well.
Through the College Park Judo Club the brothers hope to spread their love of the sport to all participants.
Editor’s note: College Park Contours is a weekly series spotlighting interesting members of the community. Know someone we should profile? Email suggestions to newsumdbk@gmail.com.
