Empowering Young Women: Keiko Fukuda Judo Foundation in India Revisited

An Update on the Keiko Fukuda Judo Foundation in India

We are pleased to update everyone on the progress taking place in India right now with the Keiko Fukuda Judo Foundation. I was able to connect with Navneet Gill, one of Sensei’s dedicated female students at Soko Joshi Judo Club in San Francisco again to discuss their progress, a new wonderful video they put together and get us some behind the scenes photographs. She also sent us her informative and inspiring new video which showcases the legacy of Shihan Keiko Fukuda living on through the training of thousands of young women in Patiala, Punjab, India.Gill reported back on how amazing it was to see the difference in the girls with only 6 months of training. "Not only had they learnt the judo moves at a very advanced pace but their personalities had flowered. They now walked with confidence and big smiles on their faces. They talked about their hopes of the future and what they wanted to do with their lives when they grew up. Their posture exuded confidence (whereas in June these same girls were so meek, shy, under-confident, they would hand their heads low and wouldn't make eye contact). They talked about how their moms were very proud of them and had even expressed an interest in learning judo/self-defense for themselves.", says Gill. Now that they have tested the model and see that it works, their expansion includes 15 new colleges and schools which have recently become interested in the program!

These young women are empowered as they learn how to defend themselves with this new training in judo. With the support of many school principals and Judo trainers and coaches in Patiala, the model program is ready to expand throughout India and the world.  The camp itself seems to leave no detail unturned with helping these young women find a safe place to learn, protect themselves, find confidence and enter their daily lives better prepared for what they may face.  Feel free to view the video Empowering Young Women: Keiko Fukuda Judo Foundation in India in it's full length below.

It is truly inspiring and the team here at Mrs Judo is honored to help spread the word of their cause and mission.