Roman Garai – Head Coach & Founder

3rd Dan National Grade | 3rd Dan Kodokan

Roman Garai is the Head Coach and founder of Yamato Judo. With a journey in judo that spans over four decades, starting in his father’s dojo in 1984, Roman has dedicated his life to the philosophy, discipline, and science of the sport.

Why Choose Yamato Judo for Your Child?

When you choose Yamato Judo, your child is learning from a professional who understands both the elite side of the sport and the developmental needs of growing athletes. Roman has been instrumental in bringing the world’s best judoka to Sydney, organizing exclusive clinics with Olympic and World Champions such as Tonaki Funa, Takato Naohisa, and Horikawa Megumi.

This allows Roman to bring professional-level training insights directly to our club’s youth program, ensuring that every student, whether they are there for fitness, self-defense, or future competition, receives world-class guidance in a supportive, structured environment.

A Holistic Approach to Youth Development

Roman is more than a judo instructor; he is an expert in human movement. With a deep background in professional fitness training, he is uniquely qualified to help children safely understand their body’s capabilities.

• Building Confidence: Roman helps students set realistic, achievable goals, teaching them that consistent effort is the key to progress.
• Safe & Scientific: He emphasizes the “science” of movement, ensuring kids learn correct technique to stay strong, healthy, and injury-free.
• Values-Driven: For Roman, judo is a philosophy of adaptability and respect. He creates an atmosphere where “gentleness overcomes strength,” teaching kids to be resilient, open-minded, and disciplined.

Credentials

• 3rd Dan Black Belt (National Grade)
• 3rd Dan Kodokan
• Accredited Australian Judo Coach
• International Instructor’s License (International Judo Federation Academy)