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 for extra practice with a wider array of judoka. This helped him to hone his skills and place well in local and regional competition. 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.