Our Sensei’s
Denny Nguyen, San-Dan (3rd Degree Black Belt) Lead Senior Class Instructor
Denny began his judo journey at Kent-Meridian High School in 2011 and earned his Shodan (black belt) in 2014. He continued training at the University of Washington, where he served as club president from 2014 to 2018—helping grow the program and enjoying his most competitive years.
During this time, Denny earned a silver medal at the 2014 Grassroots Junior Nationals in Hawaii and a bronze at the 2017 Collegiate Nationals in San Jose.
He first joined Zenyu Judo in 2012 as a student and transitioned into a coaching role in 2018. Today, Denny is a certified USA Judo National Coach.
Jordan Saravanja Recania, Ni-Dan (2nd Degree Black Belt) Lead Junior Class Instructor
Jordan began his judo training with the Western Washington University (WWU) Judo Club, where he later served as club president and a member of the WWU Sport Club Council from 2013 to 2015.
After graduating, he moved to Tokyo, Japan, and trained at the prestigious Kodokan Judo Institute from 2016 to 2022, earning both his Shodan and Nidan ranks from the Kodokan.
Upon returning to Washington, Jordan became the Junior Class Instructor at Zenyu Judo in 2023 and, in 2025, was appointed Head Coach of the Kentlake High School Judo Team.
He also holds a USA Judo National Coach certification and is a certified USJF Regional Nage no Kata judge. Jordan aspires to become a kata specialist.
Raymond Nguyen, Sho-Dan (1st Degree Black Belt) Assistant Junior Class Instructor
Raymond began practicing judo as a sophomore at Kentridge High School in 2015 and soon joined Zenyu Judo to pursue competitive training.
In 2022, he started coaching as a volunteer at Kent-Meridian High School and became a junior instructor at Zenyu, all while continuing to compete.
One of his key accomplishments was earning a silver medal in the brown belt division at the 2023 Senior Nationals in Spokane, shortly before being promoted to Shodan (black belt).
Raymond is now a certified USA Judo National Coach, serves as the assistant coach for the Kentlake High School Judo Team, assists with Zenyu’s junior class, and is a certified Regional USA Judo referee.
Nausikaa Davis, San-Dan (3rd Degree Black Belt) USA Judo Certified Coach
Kazuemon Davis, San-Dan (3rd Degree Black Belt) USA Judo Certified Coach
Jacob Llavore, Ni-Dan (2nd Degree Black Belt) USA Judo Certified Coach
Tom Childress, Sho-Dan (1st Degree Black Belt) Junior Coach
Luis Lopez, Sho-Dan (1st Degree Black Belt) Junior Coach
Doug Graham, Shichi-Dan (7th Degree Black Belt) Senior Advisor
Philip Davis, Go-Dan (5th Degree Black Belt) Senior Advisor