North Star Judo

Mike started Judo in 1973 in New York City. His first dojo was in a local school where the mats needed to be set up and taken down for every practice. Mike also frequented other Judo Schools in the area or extra practice with a wider array of judoka. This helped him to hone his skills and place well in local and regional competitions. Whi

Mike started Judo in 1973 in New York City. His first dojo was in a local school where the mats needed to be set up and taken down for every practice. Mike also frequented other Judo Schools in the area or extra practice with a wider array of judoka. This helped him to hone his skills and place well in local and regional competitions. While in New York he also trained at Waseda Judo Club in Baldwin

Long Island and Nisei Judo Club in the Bronx.   After leaving New York for Minnesota to accept a position for work. Mike found North Star Martial Arts Academy. His judo career continued under the expert training of both Tom Crone and Michelle Holtze. He attained his Sandan (3rd-degree black belt) in 2017. His enjoyment for the sport has taken him as far away as Russia where he and several other United States Judo players spent 14 days training and exchanging ideas and techniques with Russian judoka. Judo has become more than just a fun way to stay in shape and Mike expects to be both teaching and participating in judo for a long time to come.  Mike has become head instructor of North Star Judo upon Michelle's death. 

In 1985 Tom Crone and Michelle Holtze founded North Star Martial Arts Academy. Since, Tom has trained at the Kodokan Judo Institute, served five years on the National Junior Olympic Coaching Staff, served Judo Minnesota as its Development Chair for 10 years, one term as President, and in 2002 became its Collegiate Committee Chair. He is a

In 1985 Tom Crone and Michelle Holtze founded North Star Martial Arts Academy. Since, Tom has trained at the Kodokan Judo Institute, served five years on the National Junior Olympic Coaching Staff, served Judo Minnesota as its Development Chair for 10 years, one term as President, and in 2002 became its Collegiate Committee Chair. He is a member of its Standards Committee. In 2003 he also became the Midwest Coordinator for the United States Judo Association's Collegiate Committee, and its Chair in 2004.

Crone sensei became the first home-grown Minnesota judoka to reach the ranks of 6th and 7th degree black belt awarded by a nationally accredited judo organization. He has been the instructor for the University of Minnesota's academic credit course since 1995. He is Sensei Emeritus of North Star Judo.

The term ''judo'' comes from the word ''ju'', which means ''gentle'', and ''do'', which means ''way'', so that the whole word means ''the gentle way''. The main goal of judo is self-defense, which is accomplished by using the opponent's aggressive force against him. The original school of judo that was started by Kano, the Kodokan Dojo, o

The term ''judo'' comes from the word ''ju'', which means ''gentle'', and ''do'', which means ''way'', so that the whole word means ''the gentle way''. The main goal of judo is self-defense, which is accomplished by using the opponent's aggressive force against him. The original school of judo that was started by Kano, the Kodokan Dojo, or school, is still active in Tokyo today.  

At North Star Judo, we strive to treat all visitors and beginners with the utmost respect for their well-being. Judo is a rough and tumble grappling sport, and we realize that it can take time to become fully conditioned for regular Judo practice. Even people who are athletic in other endeavors might need to re-tune their bodies for judo.