Cahill’s Judo Academy

Coach Cahill is one of the best Judo teachers in the Nation. He is also one of the most giving and humble man around. He has coached hundreds if not one thousand plus National champions over the years and some Olympians from his dojo on San Mateo Ave in San Bruno .Not only is he a great coach he offers sound advice to the youngsters under his care. He is the consummate gentleman and in the Black Belt Hall of Fame but would never tell you himself. We need more Willy Cahills in this world

Cahill’s Judo is a world class training facility. I started training in Judo at the Kodokan in Tokyo while I was living in Japan and the instruction at Cahill’s is on the same level. There is so much experience among the teachers and they really care about your learning. They have many top ranked Judoka training there so you have an opportunity to train with high level partners.
Coach Cahill has coached on several US Olympic teams and that high standard is evident in the other instructors and students. The environment is very friendly, respectful, and supportive. The students all help each other progress and there are no inflated egos or students who «beat up» on less experienced students. I’ve always walked out of class feeling like I’ve learned something new and with a feeling of camaraderie with the other students and coaches.

All I can say is that CAHILL’S Judo Academy is the best of the best. Most if not all Judo Olympians will stop in to pay their respects to Coach Willy. Two time Olympic Coach and co-​founder of Blind Judo.

This is a great place! My son loves it and he’s learning a lot. When we first started coming he was timid and afraid of the head locks, falls, ect. But now 6 months later he’s more confident, and has his yellow belt!

Far and away the best Judo in the bay area. I trained here a few times in college training for national tournaments and always got tested as well as handled. Their kids program is astonishingly good!
I can’t recommend a place that is even close to as good as Cahill’s, and I don’t teach that far away :-)

I love this place my son has learned so much in the short time he’s been there. Coaches are patient and really give there time and knowledge to the young kids. It’s amazing that there is so many years of experience there and the school has such a great history. Plan to be here for many more years.

I grew up going to this club and love to drop in and work out here when I can. Willy Cahill along with all of the professors and wonderful and knowledgeable. The workouts are challenging and always through provoking.
I can’t say enough good things about this club.
If you are interested in martial arts, exercise, self-​defense, or you just think it’s fun to challenge yourself this is the place to go.

Coach Cahill, Coach Mario, and Coach AJ are awesome! My kids (Girl and Boy) have been coming here for almost 6 months and they are learning quite a bit. Discipline along with self confidence. Who doesn’t love the Sumo at the end of the class.

This is my other home. Coach Cahill is the best of the best having produced a great number of Olympians over the past few decades. This place is also filled with other great, knowledgeable and friendly people willing to teach, learn and train.
I am humbled and grateful to be part of Mr. Cahill’s dojo and martial arts family.

In 1977 Mr. Cahill helped train the SFPD entering Academy class. He was such a class act. He exuded kindness, knowledge, and of course, real skill.
Over the 30 years I was an officer, Mr. Cahill’s leg sweep or hip throw helped me stay safe and yet not injure anyone. Just having confidence often enabled me to interact successfully with suspects in a way where physical confrontation never came up.
In an ideal world, you’d have all police officers with his temperament and skill. The public couldn’t ask for more.
Thanks, Mr. Cahill
Bob Rogers
SFPD (ret)

Best place to learn Judo. They have a phenomenal variety of coaches and students that can improve your technique. I was so amazed the extra attention they give to everybody. They know how to hone in your strengths and help you build upon your weaknesses.
With Cahills, you also get the unlimited networking opportunities that comes here. While attending the classes here, I’ve met doctors, restaurant owners, university professors, and other professional people whom all come to practice Judo.

Excellent coaches, phenomenal work outs, a great family-​like atmosphere… I’ve been part of the dojo for the past 20 years, and it is an incredible place to be.

When it comes to Judo, this is as good as it gets. Coach Cahill has not only coached two Olympics and two Paralympics but more than 1000 medal winners at the state, national, and international level. His students Brett Baron and Corrine Shigemoto have coached Olympic two as well. Stop in at any time and you will see competitors from all over the world, coming in to train with Willy and/​or share a few techniques. His kid’s program is one of the best in the country. If you want you kids to train in Judo, this IS the place for you to go. You will not find a better coach or a better program-​bar none!

My home away from home!!! I’ve been coming here since I was 8 and started teaching here about 10 years ago. Willy Cahill is a legend in both Judo & Ju Jitsu plus a true gentlemen that cares about your well being. If you are looking to a place to train or want to learn a martial art this is the place to be! Hope to see you on the mat…

This is a great dojo you get fantastic training an advice on techniques everyone is so giving and knowlegeable here. This dojo is a second home to me if only I didn’t have to travel 60 miles to get there.

I started here at the beginning of the summer, 2010. The plan was to get both my son and I to take classes. Unfortunately, my boy (11yr old) didnt appreciate getting thrown to the mat. I, however, stayed with the program. I take both Jujitsu (Danzan-​Ryu) and Kodokan Judo classes. Both have been a lot of fun. Im 42 and body is still holding up.
This dojo is great for the kids. Your child’s personality will determine their commitment to the art. Its not for all kids (like mine). Cahill provides the environment and atmosphere for kids to learn about their body, mind, spirit, determination, emotions, and commitment. However, its not a punishing center meant to slap the gentleness out of a child either. Each sensei, and most of all Coach Willy, cares about kids. You can see the instructors do it because they love the sport.
Adults. The Jujitsu classes (M & W) are great for beginners and above. Ive learned the art of ground work; arm locks, chokes, escapes, etc. They also teach self defense techniques for all levels. Its been a lot of fun. Its also been enjoyable to work with the other students. No alpha-​dog attitudes here.
Judo: You’ll find plenty of brown and black belts at this dojo. I havent come across many low-​level belt adults. The judokas here are practitioners of the art. They show up to work and make the best of their time. As a beginner, I’ve learned a lot by working with them.
I highly recommend this place.

I’ve walked into the dojo many times before since 2006. Something about this place really caught my attention. Perhaps it was the home-​like atmosphere. Perhaps it was the detail that the instructors placed into kids about respect, values, and discipline. Perhaps it was that people weren’t weird, in their own little world and off-​topic, and just normal people wanting to train judo/​jiu-​jitsu. Perhaps it was all the trophies that were lined across the front of the lobby. Perhaps it was all the methodical lesson-​planned instruction…
Everything I wrote about in the above comment and evident in everybody’s review of Cahill’s is absolutely true. Classy, experienced, knowledgeable, approachable, and willing to help you exceed. No one gets left behind here.
From Kung-​Fu sets, staffs and spears as a kid, to taking kicks to the inner calf and punches to the throat in muay thai, and to all the above brutal no nonsense mma beatdown at FSA and FTCC. Eventually, when all is said and done, you want to retire somewhere you can last until you’re…I dunno, 70 years old? You’ll know what I mean when you meet a guy there named Howard… oh yeah. You’re gonna be like, «WTF Just happened??»

Do you wanna great workout and learn some good judo or jujitsu techniques?
Monday & Wednesday are jujitsu nights with Sensei Eric Renner, a very skilled Rokudan. His formal training started with Prof. Sig Kufferath, with whom he trained for 13 years, and Prof. Richard Bunch, with whom he trained for 19 years. Also see,
for more information.
Tuesday & Thursday are judo nights. You’ll get to workout with some elite judo players from many different countries. No attitude here, just great fun judo! Did I say it was kick-​butt…

An Awesome place to train!

Cahills Judo – as real as it gets. old school. there is a tradition of excellence here. if you want a great foundation for health or a quest to go to the Olympics, MMA, etc… this the place. value value value as they don’t charge much at all.
check em out