| Shintaro Higashi | |
| Nickname: | Sensei |
| Birth Date: | 14 December 1984 |
| Sport: | Judo, Aikido, Karate, BJJ, Jūjutsu |
| Coach: | Nobuyoshi Higashi |
| Club: | Kokushi Budo Institute |
| Rank Alt: | 6th Dan Black belt in judo [1] |
| Website: | Website |
| Height: | 5 ft 10 in |
| Weight: | 100 kg |
Shintaro Higashi (born December 16, 1984)[2] is a Japanese-American judo competitor and 6th degree black belt in judo for the United States in the 100 kg category.[3] He is the head instructor at the Kokushi Budo Institute, a member of the New York Athletic Club, and a professor at Brooklyn College.[4] [5]
He attended Hunter College, where he earned a bachelor's degree in psychology and a master's degree in education. He also attended NYU Stern where he earned a MBA.While at Hunter, he was a member of the wrestling team, on which he received All-State status.[6] He is the son of Nobuyoshi Higashi, the founder of Kokushi-ryu jujutsu and a Judo, Aikido, and Karate instructor. Higashi is also fluent in Japanese.[7]
He holds black belts in Judo, Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, jujitsu, Aikido, and Karate.[3]
He has won Gold in the 2007, 2011 USA Judo Senior National Championships and placed 5th in the US Open.[5] He also took Gold in the International Tournament Am-Cam Judo Challenge and placed third in the National Championships.[5] He would be a member of Team USA in 2007, 2010 World Judo Championships – Men's 100 kg and 2011 World Judo Championships – Men's 100 kg for the world games.[3] He trained for the 2008 and the 2012 US Olympic Team at 100 kg.[8] He achieved 43rd in the world ranking for Judo behind Kyle Vashkulat in the United States.[8] He has also trained in freestyle wrestling, boxing and has a black belt in Brazilian jiu-jitsu under Brian Glick.[9]