Professor (Coach) Willy Cahill

Coach Cahill was born and raised in Hawaii. At an early age of 6 he contracted Polio and was omitted to the Shriner’s Hospital.  After extensive exams and treatments his Doctor advised his parents that he would not be cured. While still in the Shriner’s Hospital he met a family friend Professor Okazaki a well known martial artist.  Okazaki would rub Willy’s polio stricken legs daily for several weeks with a special herbal concoction. The doctor was not pleased but felt it wouldn’t hurt as the damage had been done and not reversible. After several weeks Willy walked out of the Shriner’s Hospital fully recovered from this non-reversible disease called Polio. It wasn’t long thereafter that Willy started training under his Dad in Jujitsu, Judo and other martial arts. 

By now the family moved to the “main-land” and with the dad continuing to teach jujitsu.  Willy’s Dad’s long time goal was to get one of his athletes to the Olympics.  Unfortunately he passed away at age 50 and never realized his dream.  By now his son, Willy was gaining the skills needed to lead Cahill’s Judo Academy and dedicated the Academy to his Mom and Dad.

Willy went on to create over 1200 national and international champions. Seventy-five percent of all the medal won in Judo in the US Olympic Judo Team and the US Paralympic Judo Team was won under Coach Cahill’s coaching leadership.  I wonder what his Dad might think of his son now who at an early age had polio and is regularly sending Judo athletes to the Olympics and Paralympic Games representing America. Well his appreciation of his heritage didn’t stop there. Willy Cahill not only continued to hone his skills but became:

• Stanford University – Head Judo Coach
• SF State University – Head Judo Coach
• US Junior Pan American Championships – Head Judo Coach
• US Olympic Judo Coach
• Black Belt Hall of Fame – Judo Instructor of the Year
• Black Belt Hall of Fame – Individual
• Jujitsu America Hall of Fame and Instructor of the Year 

Coach Cahill do to his Judo ranking is now called Professor Cahill. In Judo he is an 8^th Degree Black Belt and in Jujitsu is a 10^th Degree Black Belt. Most individuals think the highest ranking in belt color is Black. There is one higher: Red….and yes this is once again Professor or what Willy prefers is “Coach”.

 Coach Cahill was asked by the US Olympic Committee to accept the position as the Olympic Judo Coach in 1984. He did well with the US Team but was never to obtain the GOLD.  In 1999 the same USOC asked Coach Cahill to train and coach the US Paralympic Judo team in preparation for the 2000 Games in Sydney. In Sydney the team won 2 Gold, 1 Silver and 1 Bronze Medal. As of 1964 when Judo was introduced at the Olympics Gold has never been won except by our US Paralympic Judo Team.  The Paralympics are at the same venue, with the same rules and requirements as the regular Olympics except our athletes and their opponents are also blind and visually impaired. The record stands today as we prepare to represent America at the 2008 Games in Beijing. Cahill’s Judo Academy under the coaching leadership of Willy teaches Navy Seals, Green Berets, US Secret Service, Homeland Security as well as kids starting at age 5 the merits of Judo. He is world renown and recognized by dining in the White House with Presidents Carter, Reagan and Clinton.  While competing in Cuba he has even lunched with Castro. Willy is a legend in his own time. Willy has a gentle soul which crosses all nationalities, ethnicities, languages and cultures in sharing and impacting his martial arts among all ages and interested parties.

Introduction of kids & young adults to the sport of Judo

Being blind and visually impaired creates all sorts of feelings and concerns for this community. However, introducing kids and young adults to the sport of Judo creates a level playing field in life that has lasting and positive affects and effects.  Any parent or loved one of a visually impaired individual should consider looking into this sport for life changing and positive experiences.

Judo was introduced in 1964 at the Olympic level.  As of this writing (2008) Gold has never been won by the sighted US Olympic Judo Team.  However, Gold was won at the 2000 Games in Sydney, Australia by the US Paralympic Judo Team.  That training, conditioning and confidence continues today via The Blind Judo Foundation www.blindjudofoundation.org.  Give Judo a chance to be the equalizer in a blind and visually impaired life if interested in making a difference.

Friends of Blind & Visually Impaired Athletes

This blog was started for all who are interested in creating a level playing field for individuals, family members, loved ones or parents of blind and visually impaired children or young adults through the sport of Judo. 

Many Americans are unaware of the Paralympic Games not to be confused with “Special Olympics” where individuals with physical disadvantages can accel in life, career and most anything they set their minds to by participating and training in the sport of Judo. 

There is a Foundation called the Blind Judo Foundation, a nonprofit organization that seeks out blind and visually impaired pre-teen, teenager and young adults introducing them to the sport of Judo.

Judo was introduced at the Olympics in 1964.  As of this writing no American has won Gold at the Olympics.  This is not true when it comes to the US Paralympic Judo Team.  At the 2000 Games in Sydney, the US Paralympic Judo Team (blind and visually impaired athletes) won 2 Gold, 1 Silver and 1 Bronze Medal.  This might all change at the 2008 Games in Beijing by the sighted US Olympic Judo Team….only time will tell.

If you want to make a difference in a persons life that is blind or visually impaired learn more about The Blind Judo Foundation at www.blindjudofoundation.org.